The prime ministerof the island nation of Niue recently announced a new plan that the country would raise money to preserveits marine ecosystems. Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, Niue is a coral island whose land area measures about 260 square kilometers, and is populatedby around 1,700 people. In contrast, the country's ocean territorycovers around 321,000 square kilometers. These waters are home tomore than 100 speciesof coral and are important breedinggrounds for humpback whales. However, it has been difficult for the tiny nation of Niue to protect this area.
In the plan, sponsorsfrom around the world can pay US$148 to protect one square kilometer of sea for 20 years. The Niue government hopes to raise more than US$18 million by selling 127,000 units, or about 40% of its territorialwaters. This region would become a no-takeprotected area where the country will crack down onillegalfishing, and serious threats would be reduced. The prime minister stated that the funds raised would be used for monitoringand evaluationactivities to assessreef health and fish stocks. Funds will also be used to strengthencoastal management plans. All these measures will be taken in hopes ofpassing down an ocean with a sustainableecosystem to the next generation.
