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From: SUE MILLER TAEI
Date: 02-02-08
Time: 09:12
Dear All,
We are pleased to announce that the Government of Kiribati has approved the final boundaries and associated regulations for the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), located in the Central Pacific. This creates the world largest declared marine protected area at more than 410,000 sq km. This is a fantastic and brave step for the nation of Kiribati – the largest atoll nation in the world and a small island developing state.
PIPA’s development has been a long work in progress, led by Govt of Kiribati in partnership with the New England Aquarium and Conservation International. Significant support has also been received from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and UNESCO.
I have attached a PIPA Fact Sheet that outlines what we are doing, noting I have not had time to update the map! The new PIPA map is also attached and below– noting the black line is the new PIPA boundary; the blue line is the EEZ, red line was the initially declared PIPA boundary at 60 nm around each of the 8 atolls. The new boundary adds extensive seamount habitat, tuna spawning grounds and 2 as yet unsurveyed submerged reef systems to the core of the 8 atolls and marine areas conserved under PIPA.
There is much work to do to make the PIPA a fully functioning reality but the partnership is strong and growing – associated PIPA news includes its World Heritage nomination and New Zealand support to undertake the first 3 urgent eradications of invasive species in early 2008 – the latter resulting from a key previous investment by the CEPF. CI’s support to PIPA is part of our commitment to the CRISP (Coral Reef Initiative in the South Pacific) led by AFD/Government of France.
The heart of the Pacific Ocean now has the largest declared MPA –flanked to the south and north by the world’s previously two largest MPAs - the Great Barrier Reef and NW Hawaiian Islands – it is truly a time for island and ocean conservation in the Pacific and incredible opportunities for CI and our partners to effect real conservation is at hand.
This is a great New Year start for conservation in the Pacific – hearty congratulations to the Government of Kiribati.
Best wishes from the Pacific
Sue Miller Taei, Francois Martel, Angela Kirkman from Apia, Samoa
[ ATTACHED MAPS ETC NOT ON SITE WADE]
Last changed: 02-Feb-2008