Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

of CCOP/SOPAC was to promote and develop the offshore hydrocarbon and
mineral potential of the South Pacific region. It evolved to become an intergovernmental
organisation in 1984 and changed its name to the South Pacific
Applied Geoscience Commission [SOPAC] in 1989. It now has a membership
of sixteen PICs plus two French Territories, who hold associate member
status.
Although SOPAC’s mandate has diversified to providing other
technical services to its member country Governments, the promotion and
development of both nearshore and deep-sea marine mineral resources
remains a core function of its work. In this regard SOPAC continues to
coordinate all MSR cruises related to minerals in the Pacific, to collect data
and maintain extensive databases of marine mineral resources, and to provide
other advice and support for marine mineral research and development. More
recent initiatives of SOPAC’s work programme include assisting some of its
member countries to develop national, marine mineral resource policies.
This paper seeks to discuss SOPAC’s activities and experiences in
promoting deep-sea marine mineral exploration in the region, and identifies
issues, which need to be addressed if SOPAC is to be effective in its efforts to
promote exploration and development of marine mineral resources in the
region.
2. SOPAC – Historical Brief
Prior to the inception of CCOP/SOPAC in 1972 as both promoter and
watchdog for marine mineral resource exploration of Pacific Island Countries
[PIC], research vessels from institutions and organisations of various
countries periodically visited the South Pacific Region to carry out geosciences
and other investigations. At the time, many PICs were unaware of the extent
and nature of these marine research activities. As well, an inadequate or
complete lack of national capacity prevented PICs from exercising their
legitimate right to access the data, data assessments and resulting information
from these research cruises.
The establishment of CCOP/SOPAC, sought to remedy this situation
by providing a regional mechanism to co-ordinate and stimulate marine
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