The world's largest marine reserve is coming soon

An area of ​​the Pacific Ocean twice the size of France will become the largest marine reserve on the planet.

The largest marine protected area plan was announced during the opening ceremony of the Pacific Island Islands Forum in Cook Islands - autonomous territory of New Zealand - Aug. 31, AFP reported.

Prime Minister Henry Puna of the Cook Islands announces that the sanctuary will stretch over the area of ​​106,500 square kilometers in the southern territorial waters of his country.

'This is the largest marine reserve in history established by a country to unify marine management and conservation,' said Mr Puna.

Mr. Puna said that protecting the Pacific Ocean, one of the most pristine marine ecosystems, is a great contribution of the Cook Islands to humanity.

'Marine protected areas will create a premise to promote sustainable development by balancing tourism activities, fishing, exploiting undersea resources with the preservation of the ocean's biodiversity'. , he argued.

The total area of ​​15 island nations attending the Forum The Pacific Islands is only about 240km ² - slightly larger than the US capital of Washington - but their waters have many coral reefs, seagrass and Abundant seafood sources.

Marea Hatziolos, World Bank's senior expert on marine issues, said that the Cook Islands initiative brings benefits to both the environment and the economy, as it will help protect seafood resources and promote tourism.

'Small countries in the middle of the Pacific will earn huge amounts of money from the reserve' , Ms. Hatziolos said.