Marae Moana: The Cook Islands' Sacred Ocean

Marae Moana isn't just a marine park; it's a testament to the Cook Islands' deep connection to the ocean and their commitment to protecting it for future generations. Designated in 2017, this immense protected area covers the Cook Islands' entire Exclusive Economic Zone, an area of approximately 1.9 million square kilometers. This makes it one of the largest multi-use marine parks in the world. The vision for Marae Moana is to create a space where economic growth, like tourism and fishing, can coexist with the conservation of the Cook Islands' rich marine biodiversity. The park contains a variety of zones with different levels of protection. Around each of the 15 major islands, a 50-nautical mile exclusion zone prohibits large-scale commercial fishing and seabed mining. Marae Moana is home to a diverse array of marine life, including atolls, volcanic islands, upraised limestone islands, and sand cays. Visitors can discover 136 species of coral, over 600 species of fish, and 21 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins). It also provides refuge for threatened sea turtles, tuna, reef sharks, and pelagic shark species. Beyond its ecological significance, Marae Moana embodies the cultural values of the Cook Islands, linking the people to their ancestors and the ocean that sustains them. The park's creation reflects a growing awareness of the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable resource management in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges.