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2 clusters · 7 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Cook Islands maritime and mineral resource developments

Overview

A deep-sea expedition conducted by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone has provided new data on marine life and seabed minerals. Using the ship Okeanos Explorer, researchers collected biological specimens and confirmed the presence of extensive polymetallic nodule fields.

Following these findings, the United States and New Zealand announced a joint initiative to fund a major port upgrade on Penrhyn Atoll. The United States will contribute US$50 million and New Zealand will provide approximately US$10 million to improve maritime safety and transport links. While Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown stated the port would support emerging industries like fisheries and potential seabed mineral mining, the project has drawn criticism from Greenpeace Aotearoa. The organization characterized the funding as a “trojan horse” for deep sea mining and a “gross act of colonialism.”

Entities

Cook Islands · Okeanos Explorer · Manihiki Plateau · Greenpeace Aotearoa · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Timeline

  1. 11 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
    US and New Zealand to fund Cook Islands port upgrade

    The U.S. and New Zealand will co-fund a port upgrade on the Cook Islands' Penrhyn Atoll, a move linked to critical minerals that Greenpeace criticizes as a precursor to deep sea mining.

  2. 24 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Cook Islands deep-sea expedition uncovers new marine life and minerals

    A NOAA deep-sea expedition in the Cook Islands has discovered new biological specimens and unexpected polymetallic nodule fields, providing critical data for future seabed mining decisions.

Sources

asiapacificreport.nz · business.scoop.co.nz · ca.sports.yahoo.com · livenews.co.nz · maritimeprofessional.com · pacific.scoop.co.nz · perthnow.com.au