Pacific countries are gathering in Tonga this week for a series of talks about the future of seabed mining in the region.
A number of countries - including Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Cook Islands - are looking to exploit minerals on the sea floor, and some exploratory projects have already begun.
But to do this, they need to meet the regulations set by the International Seabed Authority, the multinational organisation that governs the ocean floor.
Its secretary general, Michael Lodge, who is in Tonga, told Jamie Tahana that countries looking to seabed mining have to meet a number of international responsibilities.
Collecting machine. Photo: Nautilus Minerals
