Seabed mining decision quashed

The High Court has quashed the Environmental Protection Authority’s green light for Trans-Tasman Resources’ (TTR) experimental seabed mining operation off the coast of Pātea, in Taranaki.

Forest & Bird CE Kevin Hague says “The High Court agreed with us that TTR's risk management model was actually ‘adaptive management’ or ‘suck it and see’ mining. This is prohibited under the EEZ Act, and in Forest & Bird's view was a dangerous proposal to experiment on our ocean animals."

Forest & Bird argued against TTR's proposal at the EPA hearing and the High Court, alongside iwi, fishing, and other environmental groups.

Appeals in both directions are likely.