The Kiribati Government has decided to open up one of the world’s largest marine reserves to commercial fishing and de-register it as a World Heritage site.
If China sets up in the Phoenix Islands area, it gains not just a major military foothold in the region but also control over shipping lanes to the no (Source: 1News)
The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) spans over 400,000 square kilometres and borders US waters.
1News has obtained documents which show cabinet made the decision and then informed PIPA international partners two weeks ago.
Former President Anote Tong, who was instrumental in creating PIPA, said he was extremely disheartened to hear the news.
“It’s a huge blow for conservation but I think it’s a much bigger blow to our credibility as a nation,” he said.
The Kiribati Government claims the reason for the radical move is so it can make $200 million a year in tuna fishing licences.
But those who support PIPA have questioned that financial forecast and say it’s more valuable as a marine reserve.
PIPA Trust board director Peter Shelley says he hopes cabinet will reverse its decision.
“The ability for any people to have any confidence in working with Kiribati like this in the future is going to be really diminished and that’s a real shame because there are very important partnerships that could be developed with Kiribati that have PIPA as the centrepiece,” he said.
There’s deep concern that the move has been driven by China. Read on by clicking link below.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/11/11/fears-over-chinas-involvement-in-kiribatis-ditching-of-marine-reserve/
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