Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an important instrument for management of deep sea minerals (DSM) activities in the Pacific islands region. However, effective EIA application is likely to be impeded by four challenges common among Pacific island countries: (1) human resource shortfalls; (2) insufficient quality control exercised over EIA reports; (3) weak compliance monitoring and enforcement; and (4) low levels of public engagement and participation in EIA. This paper identifies options