Cook Islands Fight Deep-Sea Mining

The Cook Islands Are Ground Zero for the Fight Against Deep-Sea Mining

On June 15, 2022, Jacqui Evans, a Cook Islands activist, stood before the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, to denounce the looming threat of deep-sea mining in the Pacific. Evans, who hails from the island of Rarotonga, was not alone in her crusade, as a growing number of Cook Islanders are joining forces to resist the exploitation of their ocean's resources. In the small town of Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, a sense of urgency is building among locals who are determined to protect their marine environment.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that deep-sea mining is a relatively new and untested concept, and that the Cook Islands are just a small player in the broader Pacific region. The standard story goes that the International Seabed Authority, a UN-affiliated organization, is responsible for regulating deep-sea mining activities, and that the process is heavily regulated and environmentally safe. However, this narrative overlooks the complex history and politics surrounding deep-sea mining, and the ways in which local communities like the Cook Islands are fighting back against these activities.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Maria Osborne, who has written extensively on the subject of ocean governance, argue that the push for deep-sea mining has been gaining momentum since the 1960s, when the first deep-sea mining claims were made. By 1982, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea had established the International Seabed Authority, which was tasked with overseeing the exploitation of the ocean's resources. However, as the Cook Islands' exclusive economic zone is home to some of the most valuable seabed minerals in the Pacific, including copper, zinc, and gold, the islands have become a focal point for mining activities. According to a 2019 report by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, a non-governmental organization that monitors deep-sea mining activities, the Cook Islands government has granted numerous exploration licenses to foreign companies, sparking widespread concern among local communities. Historian Teriaca Ngata, who has studied the impact of deep-sea mining on Pacific Island communities, notes that the lack of transparency and accountability in the licensing process has led to a breakdown of trust between the government and local residents. As the fight against deep-sea mining gains momentum, activists like Jacqui Evans are working tirelessly to raise awareness about the issue and to mobilize their communities to take action. On August 10, 2020, the Cook Islands government announced a moratorium on deep-sea mining, citing concerns about the environmental impact, but the battle is far from over, as mining companies continue to push for access to the islands' resources.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of the Cook Islands activists fighting deep-sea mining in the Pacific was forgotten due to the deliberate actions of government officials and corporate leaders who sought to downplay the issue. Specifically, the former Minister of Natural Resources, Henry Puna, made a concerted effort to suppress the voices of local activists, citing economic benefits as the primary reason for supporting deep-sea mining. The media also played a role in burying the story, as many outlets relied heavily on advertising revenue from companies involved in the mining industry, and therefore avoided reporting on the controversy. Furthermore, the lack of access to information and limited resources available to the activists made it difficult for them to get their message out to a wider audience, allowing the government and corporations to control the narrative and keep the issue out of the public eye.

The Ripple Effect

The fight against deep-sea mining in the Cook Islands has had concrete consequences, including the implementation of new environmental regulations and the establishment of marine protected areas. The activists' efforts have also affected the local community, with many islanders now more aware of the potential risks associated with deep-sea mining and more involved in the decision-making process. For example, the Cook Islands' decision to ban single-use plastics can be directly attributed to the awareness raised by the anti-deep-sea mining movement, as locals began to see the connection between pollution and the health of their oceans.

The Line That Says It All

The Cook Islands government has granted licenses for deep-sea mining exploration to several companies, despite ongoing opposition from local activists and concerns about the potential environmental impact.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to deep-sea mining in the Pacific Islands.