New Seabed Minerals Commissioner for Cooks

The southern Cook Islands of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro have turned down a request that local company Ocean Fresh be allowed to fish commercially within 50 nautical miles of their islands.

A Cook Islands' environmentalist says he has no doubt the director of the Marae Moana marine reserve was "sacked" by the government over her opposition to sea-bed mining.

The Cook Islands Opposition Democratic Party says the dumping of Jacqui Evans from the Marae Moana is appalling.

An environmental group is calling for the Cook Islands government to rethink the sacking of Jacqui Evans from the board of the Marae Moana marine reserve.

A Cook Islands marine conservationist who received a global environmental award says she hopes it will bring more attention to protecting the Pacific Ocean.