Ocean Conservation Archived Project

Global Ocean Legacy

In 2006 The Pew Charitable Trusts and several partners launched the Global Ocean Legacy project in an effort to establish the world’s first generation of great marine parks. After a decade of working with indigenous groups, community leaders, government officials, scientists and other organizations, the project has aided in the creation of nine major marine reserves and has helped safeguard more than 2.4 million square miles (6.3 million square kilometers) of ocean—an area 12 times the size of Central America.

Through its 10 years, the Global Ocean Legacy project has worked to support the announcement and/or designation of:

  • Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
  • Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve.
  • Palau National Marine Sanctuary.
  • Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
  • Coral Sea Marine National Park.
  • Chagos Marine Reserve.
  • Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary.
  • Easter Island Marine Park.

The efforts of Global Ocean Legacy continue through the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, a partnership between The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Bertarelli Foundation. 

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Pew and the Bertarelli Foundation created a new partnership with the goal of increasing the number of fully protected parks in the sea from nine to 15 by 2022.

Protect Marine Life 2015's Biggest Marine Reserve Wins in 12 Stunning Photos

From Palau to Easter Island, a visual tour of the major gains in ocean conservation

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