United we stand, divided we fall

The rush for the Pacific seabed

A rush is underway for access to the Pacific seabed.

Deep-sea ecosystems have attracted interest for their genetic resources, which science and industry are exploring for potential application in areas including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, and cosmetics.

The installation of submarine cables has grown steadily since 2010, experiencing a rapid increase since 2020.

Most contentiously, pursuits of deep-sea mining have been reinvigorated by critical
minerals competition and continuing global metals demand.

Clearly, we’ve entered a new era of seabed activity in the Pacific – and one characterised
by increased complexity and congestion.

United we stand, divided we fall

To effectively manage these accelerating deep-sea activities, the Pacific must draw together in a collective approach to deep-sea governance. There are three key reasons for this.

First, the interconnected and dynamic nature of the Pacific Ocean means seabed activities and their impacts may extend beyond national borders. Cooperation will be required across  multiple agencies and nations to ensure the protection of Pacific ecosystems, communities and sovereignty.

Second, the region’s leadership in sustainable ocean governance risks being eroded if division on seabed issues continues to fester. A cooperative approach emphasises dialogue, inclusive negotiation and careful decision-making built on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect.

Third, there is real and concerning danger that Pacific communities will be ‘played’ in the jostle of seabed actors seeking to maximise deep-sea access and profits.

The Pacific stands stronger when it stands together – based on past ocean governance experiences.

A collective approach to Pacific seabed governance is both critical and pressing. The region’s policy challenge now is to build seabed cooperation in a manner that keeps all stakeholders at the table while cultivating robust, constructive dialogue.

This task is undoubtedly challenging; however, it is not impossible.

If there is a region skilled in navigating diversity to find areas of solidarity, it is the Pacific.

Next steps towards a regional seabed approach

The endorsement by Pacific leaders of a “member-led regional seabed approach” in September 2025 marked a key step towards cooperation on seabed governance.

The negotiation of a Pacific Seabed Stewardship Statement would be a strong move towards a regional approach that can cultivate mutual understanding through shared commitments on seabed stewardship and care.

Such a Statement could provide a principled foundation for collective seabed discussions and guide future regional initiatives and policy.

The Statement could be advanced alongside existing commitments to develop a regional knowledge hub for Pacific seabed information.

This is how it could work:

• Include negotiation of a Pacific Seabed Stewardship Statement as a priority action on the agenda of the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) and Deep-Sea Minerals Talanoa. These negotiations could be led by the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner,with support from the Pacific Islands Forum and relevant CROP agencies.
• The Statement should articulate shared and mutually agreed principles of Pacific seabed stewardship as they relate to all established and emerging seabed sectors active in the region.
  • These principles could be shaped by eight key themes:
    • Heritage and Connection
    • Justice
    • Ecosystem Health
    • Development
    • Geopolitical Management
    • Knowledge
    • Coordination and Cooperation
    • Governance
  • As this paper shows, there already exists a robust set of shared seabed stewardship principles that have been expressed by Pacific stakeholders.These provide a useful starting point for the Statement’s negotiation.
• In the short term, the Statement should be non-binding to encourage the participation of all Forum members, acknowledging the diversity of perspectives on some seabed activities.
• Transparency, accountability and inclusion are critical. The development of this Statement should be informed by and consulted on with a broad range of regional stakeholders including customary leaders, faith groups, civil society and youth representatives.

The time for cooperation is now

Increasing interest in the Pacific seabed is introducing new and complex governance challenges that few, if any, nations can effectively manage on their own.

Regional seabed cooperation may be a daunting task, but without it, the Pacific and
its ecosystems risk being played in a global race to the bottom.

Shared principles offer a decisive starting point in the journey to a regional seabed approach – one that will enable the Pacific to determine a path of its own choosing.

In conversation with

Professor Transform Aqorau

Vice-Chancellor, Solomon Islands National University

Rhea Moss-Christian

Executive Director, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Regional Campuses and Global Engagement), University of the South Pacific; former Director-General, Forum Fisheries Agency