Knowra Phoenix Islands Protected Area Phoenix Islands Protected Area The Phoenix Islands Protected Area is a vast marine reserve in the central Pacific nation of Kiribati, created to conserve the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Phoenix Islands region.
Phoenix Islands : A remote Kiribati archipelago in the central Pacific, comprising eight atolls and two submerged coral reefs. The protected area is named for this archipelago and includes its islands and surrounding waters.
No-take zone : A protected area where removing natural resources, including fishing, is prohibited. No-take rules have been central to the reserve’s restriction of commercial fishing.
Kiribati National Development Plan : Kiribati’s national planning framework for setting development priorities and public policy. National planning and policy shaped the creation and management of the protected area.
Convention on Biological Diversity : A 1992 international treaty addressing biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and fair sharing of genetic-resource benefits. The reserve contributes to national and international commitments to conserve biodiversity.
Marine protected area effectiveness : The degree to which marine protected areas achieve ecological and social objectives through effective design and management. Assessing outcomes requires more than measuring the reserve’s mapped size.
Kiribati : An island country in the central Pacific, composed of the Gilbert, Line, and Phoenix island groups. Kiribati governs the Phoenix Islands and the protected area.
Marine spatial planning : A process for allocating and managing human activities across marine areas. Zoning helps translate conservation goals into rules for different parts of the reserve.
UNESCO World Heritage Site : A place recognized under the World Heritage Convention for outstanding universal cultural or natural value. The protected area received this international recognition for its natural heritage.
Marine biodiversity : The variety of life, genes, and ecosystems found in marine environments. Protecting this diversity is a central intended outcome of the reserve.
Ocean acidification : The ongoing decline in ocean pH as seawater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Climate-driven chemistry changes threaten coral ecosystems even where fishing is restricted.
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