Describe methods to be used to undertake the activity:

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3 3 Marine scientific research Alteration, extension or removal of a permitted marine structure Prospecting Discharge of sediments from iron sand prospecting and exploration Exploration Incidental discharge of sediments from phosphate nodule or placer gold prospecting and exploration Placement or removal of submarine cables Discharge of sediments from seafloor massive sulphide prospecting and exploration Describe methods to be used to undertake the activity: (1) Collection of sediment and rock cores using the Rotary Core Barrel (RCB) and the Turbine Driven Coring System (TDCS). Detailed information is available at and (2) Core data utilizing the JOIDES Resolution laboratories. Detailed information is available at: (3) Downhole wireline logging using the triple combo and FMS-sonic tool strings. Detailed information is available at (4) Three permanent installations will be required to conduct the research. We are planning installation of a re-entry system and casing at each site (NWC-1A, UC-1A, and WC-1A) to stabilize the borehole and allow the bit to be replaced as needed. The dimension of the re-entry cone is approximately 2 m above the seafloor and 4 m in diameter. Detailed information on the re-entry cone and casing is available at

4 4 Location of permitted activity Co-ordinates of area where activity will be undertaken: See attached site coordinates table Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 I have attached a shape or KML/KMZ file to a previous form Map (showing position of activity relative to the New Zealand coastline) See attached maps

5 5 Describe the current state of the area and the surrounding environment, including any sensitive environments: Brothers volcano has been extensively surveyed by surface ships, manned submersibles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and remotely operated vehicles (AUVs and ROVs). Based on these surveys, seven sites (three primary and four alternate) were selected. Following the current drilling plan, two of the three proposed primary drill sites (and three of the four alternate sites) are located within or in the rim of the caldera of Brothers volcano (see attached site location map). The third primary site is located on the summit of the Upper Cone, with its alternate site situated on the saddle between the Upper and Lower Cones. We don't anticipate encountering any sensitive environments at the sites as we have made precautions to avoid such locations; however, there are sensitive environments in the area. Four hydrothermal fields have been identified on the caldera walls at Brothers volcano with three of them active (Upper Caldera, NW Caldera, and W Caldera) and a fourth, (SE Caldera), that appears to be inactive or at least it does not contribute to vent plumes measured above the seafloor. Two other active vent fields sit atop the Upper and Lower cones, respectively. Describe the likely effects of the activity on the environment: We plan to core/drill two boreholes at each site. However, multiple boreholes may be required to find an area at the site with stable sub-seafloor conditions because geologic settings like Brothers volcano have proven to be challenging to core in previous scientific drilling expeditions. We anticipate that the effects of coring and drilling will have an areally limited and transient impact. The sites are located away from hydrothermal vent communities and we anticipate that the effects of drilling, such as sediment plumes, noise, and vibration, will be localized. Therefore, we do not anticipate adverse environmental impacts. As mentioned above in the methods section, the three re-entry systems (re-entry cone above the seafloor and casing below) cannot be retrieved and will be left in place.

6 6 Identification of sensitive environments Four hydrothermal fields have been identified on the caldera walls at Brothers volcano with three of them active and a fourth that appears to be inactive or at least it does not contribute to vent plumes measured above the seafloor. Two other active vent fields sit atop the Upper and Lower cones respectively. Previous research indicates that although the variety of animals observed suggests a relatively long-lived and mature hydrothermal site, macrofauna are not abundant at the NW Caldera area. Fauna observed include long-neck barnacles (Volcanolepas osheai), shrimps (Alvinocaris sp.), motile scale worms (Polynoidae sp.) and crabs (?Austinograea sp.), which were most common, and vestimentiferan (or tube) worms (Lamellibrachia sp.), squat lobsters (?Munidopsis sp.), limpets (?Shinkailepas sp.) and sessile worms (Alvinellidae sp.), which were more rare. Two types of starfish (red and another white) and anemones (white) together with 4 or 5 types of fish were noted (including a zoarcid vent fish), as were some shells of a gastropod snail ~1-2 cm in length. Discovery of vestimentiferan worms, during Shinkai 6500 dive #851, was the first observed occurrence of this animal anywhere along the arc (de Ronde et al. 2011). Populations of Alvinocarid shrimp (i.e., individuals/m 2 ), and longneck barnacles (Vulcanolepas osheai) are associated with diffuse venting around the summit of the Lower Cone site, particularly where shallower than 1335 m. Fewer animals were observed around the diffuse vents of the Upper Cone site, consistent with recent, or ongoing volcanic activity on the main cone. Other dominant animals include the lithodid crab (Paralomis sp.), the galatheid crab (Munidopsis sp.), zoarcid fish, scale worms and small gastropods, including limpets, similar to those seen at the NW Caldera site although they occur in greater numbers at the Cone site. de Ronde, C.E.J., Massoth, G.J., Butterfield, D.A., Christenson, B.W., Ishibashi, J., Ditchburn, R.G., Hannington, M.D., Brathwaite, R.L., Lupton, J.E., Kamenetsky, V.S., Graham, I.J., Zellmer, G.F., Dziak, R.P., Embley, R.W., Dekov, V.M., Munnik, F., Lahr, J., Evans, L.J. & Takai, K., Submarine hydrothermal activity and gold-rich mineralization at Brothers volcano, Kermadec arc, New Zealand. Mineralium Deposita, 46, , DOI /s

7 7 Contingency plan Specify measures that could be taken to avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse effects of the activity on sensitive environments: a) Can the activity be undertaken in another place? Yes No Explain: Brothers Volcano is extremely well documented with research expeditions by surface ships, manned submersibles, ROVs, and AUVs. As a result, Brothers Volcano was identified by the IODP science community as the best site, worldwide, to investigate arcrelated hydrothermal systems b) Can the activity be undertaken in a way that reduces the amount of contact with the seabed? Yes No Explain: The seafloor must be contacted to achieve the scientific objectives. c) Can different methods be used in undertaking the activity to lessen its effects on the sensitive environment? Yes No Explain: There are no other methods to access the records stored in the sedimentary archive. d) Can the activity be undertaken in a way that lessens its effects on the sensitive environment? Yes No Explain: Due to the nature of the research, the seafloor must be contacted to achieve the science objectives. However, we will only initiate activity on the seafloor after a camera survey of the site. If a sensitive environment is observed, we will depart the location and travel to an alternate site. With the research results thus far and that fact that each drill site will have been surveyed before the proposed drilling we are confident that all sites will be devoid of any major animal community.

8 8 Signature of authorised contact person Name: Date 24 April 2018 Title: Note: A signature is not required for electronic ( ) forms.

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