New Caledonia has imposed a 50-year ban on deep-sea mining across its entire maritime zone in a rare and sweeping move that places the French Pacific territory among the most restricted exploration areas on the planet's waters.
The law blocks commercial exploration, prospecting and mining of mineral resources that sits within New Caledonia's exclusive economic zone. Nauru and the Cook Islands have already publicly expressed support for seabed exploration.
Sovereign island states discussed the issue earlier this year during the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum, but no joint position has yet been agreed on. Only non-invasive, scientific research will be permitted across New Caledonia's surrounding maritime zone that covers 1.3 million square kilometres. Lawmakers in the New Caledonian congress adopted a moratorium following broad support mostly from Kanak-aligned political parties.
