After years of lobbying by environmental protection groups, the New Zealand government has announced plans to create one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world.
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will measure an area of 620,000 sq km, protecting a massive area around the remote islands about 1000km northeast of New Zealand, and to the east of the Australian state of New South Wales.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key made the announcement to the UN general assembly in New York this week.
According to The Guardian the area is crucial in terms of biodiversity. The waters around the Kermadec Islands feature nearly 35 species of whales and dolphins, 150 types of fish and three of the world’s seven sea turtle species.
The seabed is also significant with the deep waters encompassing the world’s longest chain of submerged volcanoes and the second deepest ocean trench.
Commercial and recreational fishing will be banned in the sanctuary, as will oil, gas and mineral prospecting, exploration and mining.
Environment minister Nick Smith said such sanctuaries were vital.
“New Zealand needs to use its vast ocean resources for jobs and exports with industries like fishing, aquaculture, minerals and energy, but we also need to set aside special areas where nature comes first and marine life is fully protected,” he said.
The Key government plans to pass legislation which would establish the sanctuary next year.