The sanctuary covers 18,500 square miles (48,000 km2) and will protect the remote Bikar and Bokak Atolls. These are home to the nation’s largest green turtle nesting colony plus many sharks.
Image: DepositPhotosThe sanctuary will fully protect these areas from fishing and other destructive activities, ensuring the preservation of crucial ecosystems.
While the Government of the Marshall Islands has the authority to manage, sustainably develop and conserve its natural resources, decision making on the use of these resources are always made within the local communities under the permission and guidance of both the local government and traditional leaders.
A 2023 expedition by National Geographic Pristine Seas and the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) gathered extensive data on the area’s exceptional biodiversity, including healthy coral reefs, abundant fish populations and rare species. This new sanctuary is now part of the islands’ Protected Areas Network and marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to protect its marine environment and secure a sustainable future for its people.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands offers world class diving, and the new sanctuary will further protect the underwater environment
Image credits:
- Silky sharks.: DepositPhotos
