In 2005, Pew began work to support the creation of a fully protected marine reserve in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. One year later, that effort resulted in the designation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument – which, at the time, was the largest permanent, no-take marine reserve in the world, encompassing 140,000 square miles (362,000 square kilometers) of unspoiled reefs, atolls, shoals, islands and banks. The establishment of this monument set a new standard for the size and scope of highly protected marine parks, and has served as an inspiration for marine conservation for other countries.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was the world’s largest marine reserve until April 1, 2010, when the UK government established the Chagos Marine Reserve, an area Pew also worked to protect.
Where We Work
Global Ocean Legacy works with local communities, governments and scientists around the world to protect and conserve some of our most important and unspoiled ocean environments.