Marshall Islands Launch National Marine Sanctuary
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has announced its first-ever national marine sanctuary, protecting the remote Bikar and Bokak Atolls.
Covering 18,500 square miles (48,000 square kilometres), this sanctuary will preserve some of the most pristine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean, say the islanders, home to vital marine life such as deep-sea sharks, the largest green turtle nesting colony, and some of the healthiest coral reefs in the region.
In a landmark event on January 28, 2025, President Hilda C. Heine, alongside Iroojlaplap Boklon Zackious, Minister of Natural Resources & Commerce Tony Muller, Utrok Senator Hiroshi Yamamura, and Utrok Mayor Tobin Kaiko, signed the sanctuary into law at the International Conference Center in Majuro. This sanctuary is fully protected from fishing, ensuring the long-term health of our oceans and marine resources.
This achievement is part of the Marshall Islands Reimaanlok Conservation Framework, which integrates traditional knowledge with modern science to promote sustainable management of natural resources. Local communities, traditional leaders, and government officials all play a vital role in decision-making under this framework, making it a truly community-led conservation effort.
A 2023 research expedition by National Geographic Pristine Seas, MIMRA, and local researchers provided key data on the extraordinary biodiversity of these atolls, including abundant fish populations, rare species such as Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish, and resilient coral ecosystems that can withstand global warming.
Glen Joseph, Director of MIMRA, emphasized the importance of this step, stating: “Safeguarding areas of high biodiversity delivers benefits to local communities who rely on fish and other aspects of a healthy environment. Our future depends on protecting our ocean.”
This marine sanctuary is not only a win for conservation but also a boost for local communities by ensuring sustainable fish populations and protecting the environment for future generations.
Image credit I, Luc Viatour, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
