ABSTRACT
Converse to the vastness of New Zealand's EEZ and continental shelf, there is very little available scientific information concerning environmental or ecosystem vulnerability to the potential impacts of seabed mining activities. The past decade has witnessed increased commercial interest and industry pressure for seabed mining within New Zealand's EEZ and continental shelf. The New Zealand Government passed the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 in response to a regulatory vacuum for managing the environmental effects of minerals exploration and development in New Zealand's EEZ and continental shelf (for non-living resources including minerals, oil and gas). Section 11 of the EEZ Act makes it clear that the EEZ Act is intended to continue or enable the implementation of New Zealand's obligations under various international conventions relating to the marine environment, including the UNCLOS and the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity.
