Global News - February 2008

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World's largest marine reserve created by Kiribati

Thu 14 February 2008 14:00 UK — Marine Wildlife,Other

Pacific island nation Kiribati has created the world's largest marine reserve - the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

The newly-designated zone covers more than 164,000 square miles and includes a number of untouched reefs and eight coral atolls with large fish and bird populations.

Lying near the equator, midway between Fiji and Hawaii, the initiative has received planning support from US organisations and will also see the country's government seek assistance from Australia and New Zealand in policing new commercial fishing restrictions.

Announcing the reserve, Kiribati environment minister Tetapo Nakara told the Associated Press that "the coral reefs and bird populations of the islands are unique, virtually untouched by man - a true wilderness of natural beauty."

Commenting on the cost of the new initiative, much of which the country hopes to meet by boosting tourism, his colleague Tebwe Ietaake told Reuters: "A major part of the operational cost is the surveillance and we have a patrol boat donated by Australia.

"We are also looking at the cooperation of Australia and New Zealand in aerial surveillance flights over the region."

The Kiribati government has already applied to have the reserve, which should be formally established by the end of the year, designated as a World Heritage Site.

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