The Cook Islands announced the creation of the world’s largest marine park on Aug. 28 this year at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Including the entire southern half of the Cook Islands’ waters, this protected zone will be the largest single marine park in the world.
“The marine park will provide the necessary framework to promote sustainable development by balancing economic growth interests such as tourism, fishing and deep sea mining with conserving core biodiversity in the ocean,” said Prime Minister Henry Puna.
The park will reportedly include a large area where fishing is banned, as well as special zones where tourism and carefully monitored fishing are permitted, so that species such as tuna can regenerate.
