A research conducted by the University of Dundee convinced the UK government to establish the world's largest marine nature reserve in Pitcairn Islands.
The UK government under the leadership of Prime Minister David Cameron revealed the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) on Wednesday. An area of 322,000 square miles is to be set aside in the South Pacific, surrounding the remote islands of Pitcairn.
Pitcairn Islands are one of the Earth's most remote locations, the National Geographic said. Its surrounding waters bear untouched deep-sea ecosystems with a coral reef that is able to house large fishes and sharks. Just recently, the UK government decided to establish the area as a "no-take marine reserve," currently the world's largest single reserve.
A "watchroom" satellite will immediately be created to be able to monitor 322,000 square miles of water against illegal fishing.
Terry Dawson, a global environmental change professor at the Dundee University, was the person responsible for developing a marine management action plan for these islands while the university is the lead research institution for the project.
"Last year we submitted a policy document and to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Zac Goldsmith MP took up our case and was able to help push it through," Professor Dawson shared.
"We are proud to have developed and led this effort in partnership with Pew and National Geographic to protect these spectacular waters we call home for generations to come," he added.
There are approximately 60 people living on the Island, most of them are descendants of the tribes of the Tahitians and the 1970 Bounty mutineers.