Kiribati prioritizes protection in deep seabed minerals process
Monday, 23 January 2012 10:38
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 With fisheries as Kiribati’s main economic resource for a growing population, there is an imperative to find other income sources.
“This is where seabed mineral exploration and mining is important,” said Mr Tearinaki Tanielu, a Geologist, working as the Minerals Officer for the Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development.
“As a nation we are working toward adding more prosperity for people to make their lives better, but at the same time with little or no impact on our environment.”
He said that on a global level, seabed systems are not fully understood, and that there are policy and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed, adding greater complexity to the whole issue, and that it would be necessary for Kiribati to first develop technical and scientific knowledge and the appropriate policies so that the country has the capacity to undertake deep seabed mineral exploration and exploitation.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 07:11
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New Laws Required for Mining of Deep Seabed Minerals
Thursday, 05 January 2012 06:17
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 New laws will be required to address the challenges faced by regional countries in regulating the mining of deep seabed minerals according to Dr. Robin Warner of the Australia National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS).
There is established deep seabed minerals law in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that relates to the “vast expanse of oceans outside of national jurisdictions of the countries often called the “Area,” and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is regarded as a mentor for implementing international standards for the protection of the marine environment.
The Law and Policy Working Group, an integral part of the international workshop on Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Seabed Minerals, has been looking at an appropriate framework for deep seabed mining laws within Pacific states.
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 January 2012 06:21
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Mission to Deliver Geographic Information System Database
Wednesday, 07 December 2011 14:49
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 A World Bank mission comprising Iain Shuker (Mission Leader), Michael Bonte-Grapentin (Disaster Risk Specialist), Abigail Baca (Disaster Risk Engineer), David Winslow (Software Specialist, Consultant - Open Geo) Ivan Gomez (Risk Data Specialist Consultant AIR Worldwide) visited Suva, Fiji from December 4 to December 14, 2011 to work with SOPAC.
The purpose of the mission is to work with SOPAC to finalize the set-up of data and software developed under Phase 2 of the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative and to provide training to SOPAC staff on this data and software. The mission will also work on the concept note for Phase 3 of the (PCRAFI) with SOPAC management.
The data and software will be set up on on SOPACs Pacific Island Risk Information System (PICRIS) Platform. There are two items that will be installed. The first item is a large geographic Information system (GIS) database that has been prepared by AIR Worldwide over the last three years that will be installed on SOPAC's servers.
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 January 2012 06:23
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Snapshots 73 - DISASTER REDUCTION PROGRAMME - December 2011
Monday, 05 December 2011 13:25
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 We get ever closer to the end of the year but as we do there are no signs of the DRM activity abating. All our teams in the Disaster Reduction Programme (DRP) here in SOPAC/SPC are knuckling down trying to get as much in before they take a well deserved break over Christmas and New Year.
After a long period we've finally been able to engage again with Nauru on a broader front and in addition to the EU-funded B Envelope Project, are now providing support to strengthen the capacity of the National DRM Office and will in 2012, be working closely with all stakeholders on a Joint National Action Plan for DRM and Climate Change Adaptation.
The Solomon Islands has also decided to develop a Joint DRM and Climate Change Adaptation National Action Plan and so combined with Nauru and Fiji, DRP working with partner organisations will have alot to do in mainstreaming work at least within the first six months of 2012.
Shortly we will also begin preparations for the 2012 Pacific Platform for DRM and as referenced in our last issue, will also commence the process of developing an integrated regional strategy for DRM and Climate Change which is to be ready for consideration by Pacific leaders in 2015.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue.
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Mosese Sikivou
Deputy Director
Disaster Reduction Programme
Last Updated on Monday, 05 December 2011 13:28
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Different responses required for different seabed minerals operations
Monday, 16 January 2012 09:32
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 Concerns about protecting the environment during exploration and mining for deep seabed minerals will not be addressed by a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
Dr Malcolm Clark, Principal Scientist (Deepwater Fisheries) at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Wellington, New Zealand, expressed this opinion during the international workshop on Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Seabed Minerals.
The workshop, jointly organised by SOPAC a division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the International Seabed Authority, took place in Nadi, Fiji, during December 2011, as a part of the European Union funded, four-year Deep Seabed Minerals Project.
Dr Clark said that the more we learn about the deep sea the more we realise that parts of it are split up into smaller environmental packages, and we don’t have a good understanding of how large these package-like “ecosystems” are, or the degree of connectivity between them.
There are three types of deep seabed deposits that are being considered as potential resources to be mined: massive sulfide deposits cobalt crusts, and manganese nodules.
Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 10:44
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Emergence of Deep-Sea Mining In The Pacific Islands Region
Wednesday, 21 December 2011 10:35
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 “With a project as significant and exciting as this, we expect that there will be misunderstandings and misinformation, especially through those using the media. But we also know that it is important that any confusion related to this project must be addressed to ensure clarity and transparency in all aspects of the work.” So said Akuila Tawake, Deep Sea Minerals Project Team Leader of this European Union (EU) funded project.
Mr. Tawake explained that the Deep Sea Minerals Project is administered by SOPAC, a division of SPC, and is developing a regional legislative and regulatory framework for deep-sea mineral mining.
“This will help ensure that sustainable resource management will bring tangible benefits to Pacific Island Countries and their people, “ said Mr. Tawake.
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 January 2012 06:22
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PREEN Newsletter - Issue 05 December 2011
Wednesday, 07 December 2011 09:08
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It is with great pleasure that we present to you the 5th edition of the PREEN Newsletter. We would like to thank all those who contributed articles to this issue to share information on activities in resource and environmental economics in the region.
Special thanks also go to Federica Gerber, the out-going PREEN newsletter coordinator who recently finished her term at SOPAC Division and has now returned to Europe. The PREEN network thanks her for all her efforts and dedication in preparing the Newsletter and managing the PREEN mailing list for the past two years. We wish Federica all the best for her future.
Finally, please allow me to introduce myself to you as the new Coordinator of the Newsletter for 2011 – 2013. I am Anja Grujovic, the new ODI resource economist at SOPAC. I look forward to meeting you all at some point during my stay here.
Last Updated on Monday, 19 December 2011 07:13
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Regional Countries Urged Caution In Seabed Mineral Exploration
Friday, 02 December 2011 09:44
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 With interest in the region for seabed mineral exploration intensifying, Dr. Russell Howorth, Director SPC/SOPAC Division has sounded a cautionary note during his opening remarks at the International Workshop on Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Seabed Minerals now taking place in Nadi from November 29 through December 2.
He noted that this interest was not only within the sovereign 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pacific Island countries, but also within international waters.
The workshop is being jointly organised by SOPAC, a division of SPC and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to focus attention on seabed mineral exploration and to establish environmental needs in developing deep-sea mining strategies.
ISA has been mandated with signatories of 162 countries to manage the mineral resources of the international seabed beyond areas under national jurisdiction.
The importance of the workshop was highlighted with the presence of Mr. Nii Allotey Odunton, Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority who was accorded Fijian welcome ceremonies at the beginning of the proceedings.
Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 10:44
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