AGP Executive Report

Deep-Sea Mining & Indigenous Sovereignty: Indigenous leaders across the Pacific are pushing back on seabed mining, framing it as a sovereignty issue and warning of irreversible ecosystem harm, with New Caledonia’s 50-year commercial seabed mining ban cited as a major Indigenous-backed win. Cook Islands Deep-Sea Science: NOAA will lead a 28-day summer expedition to map deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and sensors, with live streaming and public data to support local stewardship. Deep-Sea Minerals Update: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and received substantial compliance, advancing priority rights and ongoing regulatory, technical and environmental work. Seabird Research & Threats: New footage and studies highlight deep-ocean life and seabird recovery methods, while local reporting flags feral cats threatening Rarotonga’s rare seabirds. Local Tech for Safety: A letter argues Rarotonga may need formal street names and house numbering as digital navigation grows but many homes and roads remain hard to locate in emergencies. Community Health Tech: Cook Islands Red Cross and the Health Ministry marked World Blood Donor Day, spotlighting the lifesaving role of blood donors and lab work.

Deep-Sea Mapping for Cook Islands: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August to map deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and sensors, with live streaming and public release of data and samples to support local stewardship. Seabed Minerals Progress: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and received a “substantial compliance” determination, advancing priority rights and continuing regulatory, technical and environmental work. Sea Level Rise Research in Rarotonga: International scientists shared findings on sea level rise, linking the islands’ ancient geology to future climate impacts for local planning. Plastics to Systems Change: A Cook Islands Plastics Officer highlights how the country’s plastics work is shifting mind-sets toward circular solutions led by communities and the private sector. Biodiversity & Conservation: Researchers and conservation groups spotlight deep-sea life and seabird protection efforts, including work using seabird decoys and local threats like feral cats to rare Rarotonga seabirds. World Blood Donor Day: Cook Islands Red Cross and the Health Ministry marked the day with a community event celebrating lifesaving blood donors.

Deep-Sea Mapping for Cook Islands: NOAA will lead a 28-day summer expedition aboard the Okeanos Explorer to map and study deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and sensors, with live streaming and public release of data and samples for local stewardship. Seabed Minerals Progress: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and received a “substantial compliance” determination, positioning it for priority rights while it continues regulatory, technical and environmental work. Sea Level Rise Research in Rarotonga: International scientists shared how the islands’ geological history can help forecast future sea level impacts, linking local research to community planning. Plastics Beyond the Basics: A Cook Islands Plastics Officer highlights GEF-backed work focused on system change and community-led alternatives to single-use plastics. Regional Tech & Security Watch: Coverage also flags Pacific concerns around undersea cables and broader security pressures tied to emerging tech and infrastructure. Biodiversity & Biosecurity: A letter urges stronger Ministry of Agriculture action against an invasive ant pest, while another story spotlights feral cats threatening Rarotonga’s rare seabirds.

Ocean Science in Action: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition mapping deep waters around the Cook Islands this July–August, using ROVs, advanced mapping and sensors, with live streaming for the public and open data for local stewardship. Plastics Policy & Community Change: A Cook Islands National Environment Services Plastics Officer says the push is “more than plastics,” focusing on shifting mind-sets and building circular alternatives with Indigenous and community-led leadership. Deep-Sea Minerals Watch: Deep Sea Minerals reports it has submitted a NOAA application and received “substantial compliance,” aiming to secure priority rights while continuing technical and environmental work. Biodiversity & Threats: Local researchers highlight seabird nesting in Rarotonga’s cloud forest and warn feral cats are preying on ground-nesting species. Food Security Angle: An opinion piece argues the Cook Islands should boost local agriculture to cut import dependence and strengthen resilience, calling for better coordination and support for growers. Regional Tech/Policy Signal: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo ocean summit stress island states need more finance, technology and scientific data to manage oceans sustainably.

Deep-Sea Science for the Cook Islands: NOAA will lead a 28-day summer expedition to map and explore deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and in-situ sensors, with live streaming and public release of data and samples to support local stewardship. Seabird Protection & Community Research: A Rarotonga community event shared new work on sea level rise using the islands’ geology, while separate reporting highlights how feral cats threaten rare ground-nesting seabirds and how local researchers are tracking breeding in cloud-forest habitats. Ocean Policy & Funding Needs: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo ocean summit urged better access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building for sustainable ocean planning. Local Environment & Education: Waihī pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution, using materials including pellets still washing ashore. Critical Minerals Update: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application and achieved substantial compliance, advancing priority rights and ongoing regulatory and technical work. Food Security Angle: An opinion piece argues the Cook Islands should boost local agriculture to cut import dependence and strengthen resilience.

Super Rugby Survival Watch: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika still has a pathway to a sustainable future, while ruling out a direct government bailout after the franchise was placed into liquidation. Sea Level Rise Research: International scientists shared how Cook Islands geology can help predict future sea level rise impacts with the Rarotonga community. Deep-Sea Mapping for Minerals: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August to map deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping, and live streaming for public viewing, with data shared for local stewardship. Deep-Sea Mining Progress: Deep Sea Minerals reports it has submitted a NOAA application and received substantial compliance determination, advancing its U.S. regulatory and offshore critical minerals work. Food Safety for EU Seafood: Pacific Island authorities trained on new EU freezer-vessel requirements that could affect most EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Ocean Tech & Policy Push: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo summit urged better access to finance, technology, scientific data, and capacity-building for ocean management. Community Tech for the Coast: Waihī pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution. Local Food Security Debate: An opinion piece argues the Cook Islands should boost local agriculture to reduce reliance on imported food and strengthen resilience.

Deep-Sea Science for the Cook Islands: NOAA will lead a 28-day summer expedition to map and study deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and sensors, with live streaming and public release of data and samples to support local stewardship. Seabed Minerals Progress: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and received a “substantial compliance” determination, giving priority rights and advancing its regulatory, technical and environmental work. Ocean Policy & Security: A new analysis argues deep-sea mining is now tied to major-power competition, with the US and China striking deals across Pacific island states, including mentions of Cook Islands agreements. Local Climate Research: International scientists shared sea level rise research with Rarotonga residents, linking the islands’ geology to future climate impacts. Biosecurity Call-Out: A reader letter praises Reuben Tylor’s work on the new ant pest and questions whether the Ministry of Agriculture is doing enough to guide the public and use local entomology expertise. Education & Community Tech: Waihī pupils turned discarded plastic into fish sculptures to raise awareness of marine pollution, using recovered waste including pellets washing ashore. Regional Leadership: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo ocean summit urged better access to finance, technology and scientific data for island ocean management, with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown among attendees. Food Safety Trade Tech: EU rules on freezer vessel temperatures are set to affect most EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, prompting technical training for national authorities to keep seafood exports compliant. Rugby Tech/Business: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika may still be saved via new backers and a sustainable business model, ruling out a direct government bailout as the franchise faces liquidation fears.

Deep-Sea Mapping: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August to map and explore deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and in-situ sensors, with live streaming for the public and open access to data and samples for local stewardship. Seabed Minerals Update: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and received a “substantial compliance” determination, a step that could strengthen priority rights while it continues regulatory, technical and environmental work. Ocean Governance & Security: A Pacific leaders’ push at a Tokyo summit highlights ocean management as survival, with calls for better access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building. Food Safety Trade Pressure: EU rules on freezer vessel temperatures are expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels, after technical training for national authorities across the region. Local Environment & Learning: Waihī pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution, including pellets still washing ashore after the MV Rena grounding. Regional Leadership: East-West Center appoints Jaimee Neel as Deputy Director for the Pacific Islands Development Program, aiming to strengthen Pacific-led partnerships and priorities. Sports Funding Watch: Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika can still be saved as new backers show interest, focusing on building a sustainable business model. Policy Debate: Research and commentary continue to link deep-sea mining to geopolitics and Pacific control, while local analysis argues for stronger food security and less reliance on imports.

Deep-Sea Mapping for Cook Islands: NOAA will lead a 28-day summer expedition to map and explore deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and in-situ sensors, with live streaming and public release of data and samples to support local stewardship. Seabed Minerals Update: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted a NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and received a substantial compliance determination, a step that could strengthen its priority rights while it continues regulatory, technical and environmental work. Sea-Level Rise Research Locally: International scientists shared findings in Rarotonga on how the islands’ ancient geology can help predict future sea level rise impacts. Ocean Governance at Tokyo Summit: Pacific leaders at the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo urged better access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building for sustainable ocean planning and management. Food Safety for EU Seafood: EU rules on freezer vessel performance are set to affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU, with regional training in Suva focused on compliance capacity for national authorities. Marine Plastics in the Classroom: Waihī pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures to raise awareness of long-term marine plastic pollution impacts. Regional Tech/Policy Leadership: East-West Center appointed Jaimee Neel as Deputy Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program, aiming to strengthen Pacific-led partnerships and priorities. Sports Funding Watch: Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika still has a pathway to survive as new potential backers show interest.

Deep-Sea Minerals Update: Deep Sea Minerals says it has submitted its NOAA application under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and has now received a “substantial compliance” determination, a step it says strengthens priority rights while it continues regulatory, technical, and environmental workstreams. NOAA Deep-Water Mapping for the Cook Islands: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August aboard Okeanos Explorer, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping, and in-situ sensors to study deep waters around the Cook Islands; ROV dives and live science will stream in real time, with data and samples shared publicly. Ocean Policy Meets Geopolitics: A new report highlights how deep-sea mining is becoming a strategic contest, noting agreements involving Pacific states including the Cook Islands as major powers race for seabed minerals. Local Conservation Tech & Education: Waihī Beach School pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures to spotlight marine plastic pollution, using the project to drive community discussion on ocean protection. Food Security Angle: An opinion piece argues the Cook Islands should boost local agriculture to reduce reliance on imports and improve resilience.

Deep-sea mapping for the Cook Islands: NOAA will run a 28-day expedition this July–August aboard the Okeanos Explorer to map and study deep waters around the Cook Islands, working with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority. The cruise will use remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and in-situ sensors, with live streaming for shore-based researchers and the public, and all data/samples planned for public release to support local stewardship. Ocean governance at the Tokyo summit: Pacific leaders at the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo pushed for stronger national ocean frameworks and called for more access to financing, technology, scientific data and capacity-building to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and marine pollution. Food safety rules hit Pacific exporters: EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449 is rolling out new technical requirements for freezer vessels, with training in Suva for Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu; it’s expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU. Local climate-and-ocean education: Waihī pupils turned discarded plastic into fish sculptures in a project aimed at raising awareness of marine plastic pollution and encouraging community discussion about ocean protection. Seabed minerals and geopolitics: A new report highlights how deep-sea mining is increasingly tied to power competition between the US and China, with agreements involving Pacific states including Kiribati and the Cook Islands.

Deep-Sea Mapping: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August to map and study deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping, and in-situ sensors, with live streaming for shore-based researchers and the public and publicly released data to support local stewardship. Seabird Protection: Local researchers are spotlighting Rarotonga’s cloud-forest seabirds, including the Kōputu petrel, as new records show feral cats preying on ground-nesting species that act as early indicators of ocean health. Food Safety Rules: EU officials’ new freezer-vessel requirements are rolling out after concerns about brine temperatures, and a regional training in Suva aims to help Pacific Island authorities and exporters keep access to the EU seafood market—potentially affecting about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged vessels. Ocean Plastic Education: Waihī Beach School pupils are turning discarded waste into fish sculptures for a community mobile installation, using materials still washing ashore after the MV Rena grounding to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution. Ocean Governance at Summit: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo summit are pushing for better access to finance, technology, scientific data, and capacity-building to manage oceans amid climate, biodiversity loss, and pollution pressures. Tourism vs Waste: A new Jetstar Brisbane service and seasonal Christchurch flights could lift visitor numbers beyond 200,000, but commentators warn growth must not outpace waste management for a small island population. High Seas Voyaging: Cook Islands-linked voyaging leaders and ocean experts gathered on Rapa Nui to strengthen ancestral ties and coordinate high-seas marine conservation efforts.

Deep-Sea Mapping: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August to map and study deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and in-situ sensors, with live streaming for shore-based researchers and the public and open sharing of data and samples with local authorities. Food Safety & Trade: EU officials’ new freezer-vessel rules are rolling out across Pacific Island states; a Suva training for Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu targets compliance after EU auditors found brine temperatures often missed -18°C, with the change expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific-flagged vessels. Ocean Health & Community: Waihī pupils turned discarded plastic into fish sculptures, using waste including pellets still washing ashore after the MV Rena grounding, aiming for a mobile installation to spark local discussion on marine plastic pollution. Biodiversity Under Threat: Local researchers are spotlighting Rarotonga’s cloud-forest seabirds, including the Kōputu petrel, as new records show feral cats preying on ground-nesting species. Ocean Governance: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo summit urged better access to finance, technology and scientific data for sustainable ocean planning, with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown among attendees.

Biodiversity Under Threat: Te Ipukarea Society reports feral cats are preying on Rarotonga’s ground-nesting seabirds, including the Kōputu petrel, raising alarms for species that act as early ocean-health indicators. Deep-Sea Mapping: NOAA will lead a 28-day expedition this July–August to map and study deep waters around the Cook Islands, using remotely operated vehicles, advanced mapping and in-situ sensors, with live streaming and public release of data and samples. Ocean Food Safety: EU officials’ new freezer-vessel requirements are rolling out after auditors found brine temperatures falling short of -18°C; a regional training in Suva aims to keep Pacific Island exporters—covering about 97% of EU-listed vessels—compliant. Marine Plastic Education: Waihī pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures, using materials still washing ashore after the MV Rena grounding, to build a community installation highlighting ocean plastic pollution. Ocean Governance Push: Pacific leaders at a Tokyo summit—including Cook Islands PM Mark Brown—are calling for better access to finance, technology and scientific data to strengthen sustainable ocean planning and management. Tourism vs Waste: A local analysis warns that rising visitor numbers from new air links could push waste burdens beyond what the Cook Islands can manage, with plastics dominating beach litter.

EU Food Safety Compliance: Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu officials trained in Suva for new EU freezer-vessel requirements under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449, expected to affect about 97% of EU-listed Pacific Island-flagged freezer vessels exporting to the EU. Ocean Tech & Data Needs: Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told a Tokyo ocean summit that island states need more access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building to manage oceans sustainably. Marine Pollution in Schools: Waihī Beach School pupils made fish sculptures from discarded waste, including plastic pellets washing ashore after the MV Rena grounding, as part of an ocean conservation art project. Food Security Push: A Cook Islands agriculture commentary argues the country can cut import dependence by strengthening grower associations, boosting local production and improving market coordination. Tourism Waste Warning: An opinion piece flags that rising visitor numbers from new air links could worsen plastic and landfill pressures in Rarotonga and Aitutaki, urging regenerative tourism that matches waste capacity. Regional Ocean Protection via Voyaging: Leaders and experts gathered on Rapa Nui to share voyaging knowledge and collaborate on high-seas ocean conservation initiatives.

Ocean Tech & Policy: Pacific leaders at the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, including Cook Islands PM Mark Brown, pushed for better access to finance, technology, scientific data and capacity-building to manage oceans amid climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Local Waste Innovation: Waihī Beach School pupils (with cultural creative leader Stan Wolfgramm) turned discarded plastic bottles and recovered marine waste into fish sculptures, feeding into a community mobile installation to tackle plastic pollution. Food Security Angle: A Cook Islands-focused opinion argues the country should boost local agriculture to cut import dependence and strengthen resilience, pointing to grower associations and potential across Rarotonga and the Southern Group islands. Sustainable Tourism Pressure: Te Ipukarea Society warns that visitor growth driven by new air links risks outpacing waste management, citing Rarotonga beach litter findings dominated by plastics. Regional Tech/Travel Tools: South Pacific Pocket Guide launched a Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide with local tourism partners, aiming to support independent travellers and digital discovery.