Little-to-no industrial fishing occurs in fully and highly protected marine areas (1 of 2) (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Little-to-no industrial fishing occurs in fully and highly protected marine areas (1 of 2)

Caption

Aerial view of Bikar Atoll, with southern tip and Bikar Islands in the foreground. The National Geographic Pristine Seas team, in collaboration with the Marshall Islands  Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) and the Government of the Marshall Islands,  conducted an expedition to the remote atolls of Bikar, Bokak, Bikini, and Rongerik.  This expedition was in support of Reimaanlok, the Marshallese national framework  for the planning and establishment of community-based conservation areas. In 2025, the Republic of the Marshall Islands established their  first national marine sanctuary — which covers 48,000 square kilometers of water — providing an exceedingly rare glimpse into a pristine part of the Pacific Ocean.

Credit

Steve Spence, National Geographic Pristine Seas

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