America established the world's largest marine reserve

In one of the largest conservation efforts in history, President Bush yesterday announced the planning of a large-scale biodiversity conservation area in the Pacific.

The reserve consists of three areas with a total area of ​​about 500,000 square kilometers, which is home to shallow crabs, a submerged island surrounded by pink coral, waters with predators (sharks, whales). , the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean (more than 11 km deep), the waters and corals around the three uninhabited islands of the Northern Mariana Islands, Rose Atoll on the Samoa Archipelago and seven islands along the chain religion in the central Pacific.

All locations in the three conservation areas have endemic plants and animals, such as an egg hatching bird with hot water from the volcanoes on the ocean floor. Some places have unique geological structures, such as sulfur pools (currently only found sulfur satellites named Io of Jupiter).

7 small islands along the equator on the Pacific are also within the protection of this project.Photo: PA.(Photo: AFP)

Cultural heritages are also protected under the US Act of 1906, which protects ancient relics, allowing the government to prohibit acts of littering, fishing and mining.

In a speech to the press at the White House yesterday, Mr. Bush said: ' For birds and marine animals, ocean reserves will be where they can grow and survive without facing any. any threat. For scientists, it is a place for them to expand the treasure of knowledge of mankind. As for the American people, protected areas will be the place to honor our duty to creation . '

Fishing activities that do not use mines and nets, travel and scientific research are still allowed in protected areas, but must be licensed by the federal government.

The US president also said that three protected areas not only bring ecological benefits, but also help preserve cultural and spiritual heritages for future generations, while promoting economic development. in protected areas.

This is the second time President Bush has used the law to protect marine resources. Two years ago, he turned a large area around the islands of northwestern Hawaii into a national reserve. The government banned fishing, oil and gas exploitation, tourism in the waters and coral reefs. At that time, the area was the largest marine reserve in the world.

Pink coral reefs on Rose Island in the American Samoa Islands.(Photo: AP)

Brendan Cummings, director of the US Center for Marine Biodiversity's ocean exploration programs, praised the fishing ban on protected areas, but said reducing greenhouse gas emissions was the only viable solution. long-term coral conservation efforts." If we can't solve global warming, all measures to protect coral reefs will be meaningless ," he said.

In addition to raising the temperature of wild ocean, the increase of CO ₂ also reduces the alkalinity of seawater, preventing coral growth.

Part of the three Pacific islands was decided by President George Bush to set up the world's largest marine reserve. (Photo: AP)

This sanctuary will include Rose atoll at American Samoa island. (Photo: PA)