Skip to content

Conservation

Pacific conservation resurgence

by Colin Ricketts 06 May 2014
Pacific conservation resurgence

The giant lagoons (here, the Isle de Mare) of New Caledonia support an immense diversity of invertebrates and naturally the fish, reptiles and mammals that can benefit from the reefs and the prey they find there; New Caledonia image; Credit: © Shutterstock

In beautiful Raratonga in 2012, the Pacific Islands Forum persuaded the Coral Sea Coastal States to commit to even more marine protected areas. The Republic of Kiribati have already established their Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA, I like the name!) with a magnificent 408,250 sq. km (157,630 sq. miles.) Likewise, the Cook Islands own Marine Park encompasses another vast area of the Pacific, now to be joined by the French colonial New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie.) Whereas The PIPA is the size of California, the new area is half the size of the Indian subcontinent, at 1.4 million sq. km (450, 543 sq. miles), by far the largest marine protected zone (so far) and the first Melanesian development in protected marine zoning.

His magnificent area of giant lagoons will be known as Le Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail, as declared last week by the President Harold Martin. The 250,000 people of New Caledonia benefit from generous fishing produce (up to 3000 tons a year.) The economy should not suffer therefore, within this exclusive economic zone, while tourism is bound to increase, given the underwater and other attractions.

How many species inhabit these depths, and the reefs? Sharks should benefit from this by remaining out of Chinese shark fin soup. 48 species live in the area, accompanied by 25 marine mammals and 19 nesting birds (remember it's mainly open sea!) The turtles revel there, with 5 species indicating just why this is a unique Biodiversity Hotspot, UNESCO having given the world's largest lagoon near Grande Terre, World Heritage Site status. Many endemic species live in these reefs with nickel mining on Grand Terre the only threat.

The original 2010 concept of the Pacific Oceanscape is now a reality in this area, given the commitments of 2012 in Raratonga. 16 Pacific Island Forum countries and 6 overseas territories. They collaborated to conserve an unbelievable 10% of the earth's oceans. Just be careful when you draw up the legal niceties, guys --- Japanese whalers and their ilk are not allowed!


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping