The Phoenix Islands Protected Location (PIPA)

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) of the modest pacific island Kiribati is the planet’s largest protected area. It contains all eight islands of Kiribati: Rawaki, Enderbury, Nikumaroro, McKean, Manra, Birnie, Kanton and Orona and two engulf reefs, Carondelet Reef and Winslow Reef. The complete protected area is consisting   of 408,250 km2 (157,626 sq. miles).

Planet Heritage Internet site at Phoenix Island Protected Region (PIPA) © Cat Holloway

The marine and terrestrial bio diversity of PIPA is one of the most important natural habitats of the world. It is a residence of hundreds of coral species, quite a few reef fish species, colonies of sea birds, uncommon species of green turtles and a lot of other scarce animals. The modest republic of Kiribati has taken phenomenal measures to conserve all this distinctive wonder of the world realizing the critical threats for the uprising of sea level due to international warming. In fact nowadays Kiribati government is playing a major role in the global conservations of ecosystems and all-natural atmosphere.

Marine Life at Phoenix Islands Protected Location (PIPA) © Cat Holloway

The Phoenix Islands are a paradise of seabirds like Petrels, tropicbirds, boobies, frigate birds and terns which march in the air in countless numbers. Audubon’s shearwater, the vulnerable white-throated (Polynesian) storm-petrel, lesser frigate bird and blue noddy have their biggest colonies on these islands. At present there are 19 species of seabirds living on the islands. These islands are also wonderful stepping ground for migratory and pelagic and plank tonic species. The lagoons of Kanton and Orana host the splendid giant calm communities and consist of the critical nesting websites of the threatened green turtles and hawksbill turtles. Likewise PIPA is also a genuine oceanic wilderness for exceptional species of coral and reef fish.

Green Turtles of Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) © David Obura

On January 30, 2009, on the request of the Republic of Kiribati the Phoenix Islands Protected Area was incorporated in UNESCO planet heritage internet sites. The Government of Kiribati is constantly operating to boost access to the wonders of PIPA since apart from the biodiversity, PIPA also possess the cultural remnants of Polynesian and Micronesian settlement of the Pacific zone.