World's largest protected marine area created in Pacific
The protected area now covers 158,453 square miles of the Pacific Ocean
Also In The News
|
Directed by Doug Liman, out February 14th in cinemas, starring Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Samuel L Jackson, Rachel Bilson, running time 88 mins. |  |
Thursday, 14, Feb 2008 02:46
An area the size of California in the Pacific Ocean has become the world's largest marine-protected zone.
The expanse of ocean containing coral reefs and rich fish populations is said to be under threat from over-fishing and climate change.
Kiribati, a small Pacific island nation, first declared the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) in 2006 but on January 30th 2008 it adopted formal regulations that more than doubled the original size.
The protected area now covers 158,453 square miles.
PIPA includes one of the world's last intact oceanic coral archipelago ecosystems, consisting of eight coral atolls and two submerged reef systems.
The nearly uninhabited region also includes underwater mountains and other deep-sea habitats.
"The creation of this amazing marine-protected area by a small island nation in the Pacific represents a commitment of historic proportions; and all of this by a country that is under serious threat from sea-level rise attributed to global warming," said Conservation International president Russell Mittermeier.
"The Republic of Kiribati has now set a standard for other countries in the Pacific and elsewhere in the world. We are proud to be associated with this effort that helps the people of Kiribati, and we call on governments and private conservation groups everywhere to support Kiribati in its efforts and make similar commitments to protect their own natural systems."