New Zealand unveils a new marine sanctuary the size of France

This decision puts New Zealand back at the forefront of marine protection on the global stage

The Kermadec ocean sanctuary, in the South Pacific and spanning 620,000 sq km, expands an existing reserve surrounding the Kermadec Islands.

It will be located around 600 miles off the antipodean nation’s northeast coast and will contain 240,000 sq. mi. of ocean that is considered one of the world’s most pristine environments, but is increasingly under threat from fishing and mineral exploitation.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announced the plan at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on Monday. “The sanctuary contains the world’s longest underwater volcanic arc and the second deepest ocean trench”, he said in a statement.

Environmentalists welcomed the news. “We congratulate the government for taking decisive action to protect this incredibly special area from mining and fishing”, said World Wildlife Fund (WWF) New Zealand chief executive Chris Howe, reports AFP. “This decision puts New Zealand back at the forefront of marine protection on the global stage.”