The Marshall Islands have declared their first national marine sanctuary, safeguarding a pristine stretch of tropical ocean home to deep-water sharks and green turtles. This significant step comes as the islands face extreme pressure on their biodiversity due to climate change and rising sea levels.
Covering an area of 48,000 square kilometers, the sanctuary surrounds the uninhabited atolls of Bikar and Bokak, renowned nesting grounds for green turtles. President Hilda Heine emphasized the importance of protecting these marine treasures, stating, "The only way to continue benefiting from the ocean's treasures is to protect it."
The sanctuary's establishment is a response to increasing threats to marine ecosystems, with the World Bank highlighting the vulnerability of the Marshall Islands. Conservationist Enric Sala noted that these pristine atolls showcase what oceans looked like before human intervention, offering a glimpse into potential future coral reefs.
In 2023, a National Geographic expedition documented previously unknown deep-sea communities and a wealth of vulnerable species, reinforcing the sanctuary's importance for global biodiversity. The Marshall Islands, home to around 40,000 people, rely heavily on fishing, with illegal fishing operations having historically plundered their waters.