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Melanesian Countries Agree to Unite Marine Protected Areas
Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu have agreed to expand and connect their marine protected areas. The network, called MOCOR, is expected to become the world's largest transboundary marine protected area.
Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu have decided to expand and link their marine protected areas. The three countries announced their goal to establish a joint conservation network prioritizing ocean health and environmental protection.
The plan was unveiled at the first Melanesia Ocean Summit held in May 2026 in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Melanesia is known as a subregion of the Pacific Ocean.
What does the network called MOCOR cover?
The new conservation network is named the Melanesia Ocean Corridor, or MOCOR. The three Pacific nations designed this initiative to "fully protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and strengthen the cultural and economic livelihoods of coastal communities through a unified Melanesian corridor."
The project stands out as one of the latest regional responses to the severe pressures climate change has imposed on the Pacific. Although the region historically has low carbon emissions, island communities face serious impacts such as rising sea levels and coral reef degradation.
The connected marine reserves are expected to cover at least 6 million square kilometers. Therefore, MOCOR is anticipated to become the world's largest transboundary marine protected area.
Commitments of the countries
Papua New Guinea will allocate more than 214,000 square kilometers in the Bismarck Sea under the Western Manus Marine Protected Area. The government describes this area as roughly the size of the United Kingdom, representing about 9% of the country's exclusive economic zone.
Vanuatu announced it will dedicate 70,000 square kilometers within the Torba National Marine Protected Area to MOCOR. This area accounts for approximately 10% of the country's exclusive economic zone.
Fiji has committed to including 15% of its waters in MOCOR this year and plans to expand the network over the next five years.
Conservation messages from Pacific leaders
Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat emphasized the value of protecting the ocean. He stated that no sacrifices are made to protect the seas; rather, protection is chosen over exploitation.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stressed that the responsibility to care for the seas cannot be confined by borders. Rabuka reminded that oceans do not end at national boundaries and that conservation efforts must extend beyond these borders.
This new network, akin to a national park, was presented not only as an environmental step but also as a foundation for stronger regional unity among Melanesian countries. The initiative made visible the region's desire to act collectively over their shared marine areas.
National geographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala praised the announcement of MOCOR. Sala noted that Melanesian leaders pledged to protect 30% of one of the world's most biologically diverse and important marine environments.
A new focus in regional discussions
The Pacific Globalization Network welcomed the initiative but called for regional commitments to be translated into binding national laws. It also highlighted the controversy within the region over some governments potentially permitting deep-sea mining exploration and extraction.
One of the summit's notable moments was the symbolic release of a "message in a bottle" carrying the commitment of Pacific peoples. The message emphasized that the future of younger generations should not be sacrificed for short-term profits.
The text stated that peoples stand not only as nations but as guardians of a shared ocean. The message at the heart of this call was that the ocean does not belong to people; rather, people belong to the ocean.
Melanesian countries have decided to reconvene in two years to review and expand their commitments to ocean conservation.
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