The Application of the Precautionary and Adaptive Management Approaches in the Seabed Mining Context: Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd Marine Consent Decision Under New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012

Abstract

This short piece analyses a recent path-breaking decision by the Decision-making Committee (DMC) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand. In Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd Marine Consent Decision (June 2014), the DMC considered New Zealand’s first application for ‘marine consent’ for continental shelf seabed mining under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 (EEZ Act).