The SPC-EU DSM Project is helping Pacific Island countries to improve the governance and management of their deep-sea minerals resources through improved legal frameworks and increased technical capacity.A primary objective of the project is to support informed and careful governance of any deep sea mining activities in accordance with international law, with particular attention to the protection of the marine environment and securing equitable financial arrangements for Pacific Island countries and their people. The SPC-EU DSM Project is also working to encourage and support participatory decision-making in the governance and management of national deep sea minerals resources

The SPC-EU DSM Project is the first major initiative designed to regulate this new industry in a coordinated way within the Pacific Region. The SPC-EU DSM Project's activities are driven by a steering committee made up of representatives from the participating countries.

The Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Project has already undertaken a number of activities designed to inform stakeholders about the technical, legal, economic and environmental impacts of deep sea mining. Consultation with the participating countries also determined the need for a series of practical workshops to help build governance capacity and engage key stakeholders in the decision-making process.In response, the Pacific ACP Deep Sea Minerals Project developed a regional technical training programme with a series of 1-week regional training workshops covering the following key areas:-Geological, Technological, Biological and Environmental Aspects of Deep Sea Minerals (August 2012 in Fiji)-Law and Contract Negotiations for Deep Sea Minerals (March 2013 in Tonga)-Social Impact and Public Participation (June 2013 in Vanuatu)-Environment Perspectives of Deep Sea Minerals Activities (December 2013 in Fiji)-Fiscal regimes and the responsible investment of revenues from Deep Sea Minerals (May 2014 in Cook Islands)In addition to the regional training events, the SPC-EU DSM Project offers individual capacity building opportunities through an internship program and sponsorship of ad-hoc training and work opportunities. To date 26 internships/attachments have been completed. The technical training workshops and individual capacity building opportunities will continue for the duration of the SPC-EU DSM Project

The SPC-EU DSM Project is funded by the European Union and managed by SOPAC, the Applied Geoscience & Technology Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, on behalf of the 15 Pacific Island participating countries.

Lead Agencies: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, European Union Participating Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. Collaborating Institutions: United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research (NIWA) - NZ, Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) , Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Duke University, Penn State University, University of Hawai’i, University of the South Pacific (USP), Australian National University (ANU), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Commonwealth Secretariat, International Seabed Authority (ISA), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)/GRID-Arendal, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Helmholtz Centre for Ocean research Kiel (GEOMAR), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Pacific Financial Technical Assistance centre (PFTAC), Managing Impacts of Deep-seA reSource exploitation Project (MIDAS), Deep Ocean stewardship Initiative (DOSI), Parties to the Naru Agreement (PNA) Office, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Commercial Entities: Neptune Minerals (Australia), Nautilus Minerals (Australia), Deep Green (Australia), Odyssey Marine Exploration (USA), IHC Mining (Australia), OceanflORE (Singapore), Pax Populus Pty Ltd (Australia), BMT WBM Pty Ltd (Australia) , ERIAS Group (Australia) Civil Society Groups: Pacific Islands Association of NGO’s (PIANGO), Deep Sea Mining Campaign (Australia), Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) (Cook Islands), Minerals Policy Institute (MPI) (Australia), Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) (Fiji), Women's Action for Change (WAC) (Fiji), Civil Society Forum Tonga, Mas Kagin Tapani Association (PNG), The Nature Conservancy (Solomon Islands), Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) (PNG), Women United Together Marshall Islands (WUTMI), Nauru Island Association of NGOs (NIANGO), Samoa Umbrella of NGOs (SUNGO), Tuvalu Association of NGOs (TANGO), Vanuatu Association of NGOs (VANGO), Vanuatu Council of Churches, Holy Church of All Nations (Vanuatu), Pacific Institute of Public Policy (Vanuatu), Environmental Law Association (Fiji), Centre for Environmental Law & Community Rights (PNG), Greenpeace (Fiji), Oasis Earth (USA),