"Cook Islands government accused of misleading public on seabed mining", 3 February 2025

Cook Islands government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection.

Louisa Castledine's comments come following a letter sent to the president of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) by eight deep seabed mining companies, including the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC), asking for regulations required for seabed mining to be adopted this year.

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Cook Islands News has contacted CIIC chief executive officer Allan Jensen, whose signature is on the letter, for comment and information regarding their seabed mining plans.

Castledine, who serves as a spokesperson for ocean advocacy collective, Ocean Ancestors, said government's push through CIIC for a seabed mining licence is a "total breach of trust, placing profit ahead of people".

"Our government is misleading the public into believing that we, as a country, are undecided on whether we are going to allow deep seabed mining," Castledine told Cook Islands News.

"Their actions indicate clear intentions to proceed regardless of research findings. This false narrative is used to create an illusion of diligence while undermining the community in the pursuit of mining."

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