7 min read

Phoenix Islands Protected Area

What protected area is so vast that it covers an ocean larger than many countries, yet most people have never heard of it? The answer is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). Located in the central Pacific Ocean within the Republic of Kiribati, PIPA is one of the world's largest marine protected areas and one of the most important sanctuaries for ocean biodiversity.

Established in 2008, the protected area covers approximately 408,250 square kilometers (157,626 square miles) of ocean, coral reefs, deep-sea habitats, and remote islands. Because of its remarkable ecological significance, UNESCO inscribed the Phoenix Islands Protected Area as a World Heritage Site in 2010.

Unlike many famous national parks filled with tourists, much of PIPA remains largely untouched by human activity. Its remote location has allowed scientists to study marine ecosystems that continue to function much as they have for centuries, providing valuable insight into how healthy ocean environments operate.

Daily Whoa Snapshot

Location: Republic of Kiribati
Region: Central Pacific Ocean
Established: 2008
UNESCO World Heritage Site: 2010
Area: Approximately 408,250 square kilometers
Category: Marine Protected Area
Known For: Coral reefs, marine biodiversity, conservation, scientific research

Where Is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area?

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area surrounds the Phoenix Islands, a remote group of islands that forms part of Kiribati in the central Pacific Ocean. The islands lie roughly midway between Australia and Hawaii, making them among the most isolated island groups on Earth.

The protected area includes not only the islands themselves but also the surrounding coral reefs, lagoons, seamounts, deep ocean ecosystems, and vast stretches of open water that support countless marine species.

Why Is It So Important?

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area protects one of the planet's most intact tropical marine ecosystems. Its healthy coral reefs, relatively undisturbed fish populations, seabird colonies, sharks, sea turtles, giant clams, dolphins, and other marine life provide scientists with an invaluable natural laboratory for understanding how healthy oceans function.

Because much of the area has experienced relatively little human development, researchers can observe ecological processes that have disappeared or become heavily altered in many other parts of the world.

A Haven for Marine Life

PIPA supports an extraordinary variety of marine species. Hundreds of fish species inhabit its coral reefs, while sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and countless invertebrates depend on its waters throughout different stages of their lives.

The surrounding ocean also serves as an important habitat for migratory species that travel enormous distances across the Pacific. Healthy coral reefs provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds that support marine ecosystems extending far beyond Kiribati itself.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2010, UNESCO recognized the Phoenix Islands Protected Area as a World Heritage Site because of its outstanding natural value. The designation acknowledges not only the area's exceptional biodiversity but also its importance for scientific research, marine conservation, and the long-term protection of one of Earth's most remarkable ocean ecosystems.

Today, the site continues to demonstrate how large-scale conservation efforts can help preserve biodiversity while improving our understanding of the natural world.

Scientific Research

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area has become one of the world's most valuable natural laboratories for marine science. Because its ecosystems have experienced relatively little human disturbance, researchers can study coral reefs, fish populations, ocean currents, and marine food webs in conditions that are increasingly rare elsewhere.

Scientists also monitor how coral reefs recover from natural events such as coral bleaching. The resilience shown by some reefs within PIPA provides valuable information that may help conservation efforts in other parts of the world facing similar environmental challenges.

Conservation Efforts

Protecting such a vast marine area requires cooperation between the Government of Kiribati, conservation organizations, researchers, and international partners. Management efforts focus on preserving biodiversity, supporting scientific research, regulating human activities, and protecting marine habitats for future generations.

Conservation is especially important because healthy oceans support fisheries, regulate the Earth's climate, store carbon, and sustain countless species that depend on interconnected marine ecosystems.

The Phoenix Islands

The protected area includes eight remote coral islands and numerous underwater features scattered across the central Pacific. Most of these islands are uninhabited, allowing wildlife to thrive with minimal human interference.

Seabirds nest on the islands in large numbers, while the surrounding reefs support vibrant marine communities. Beneath the surface lie underwater mountains, deep-sea habitats, lagoons, and coral formations that contribute to the area's extraordinary biological diversity.

Climate Change and Coral Reefs

Like coral reefs around the world, ecosystems within PIPA face challenges from climate change, including rising ocean temperatures and coral bleaching. Scientists closely monitor these reefs because understanding how healthy reef systems respond to environmental change can improve global conservation strategies.

Research conducted in the protected area contributes to international efforts to better understand ocean health, biodiversity, and the long-term impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Why It Matters to the World

Although the Phoenix Islands Protected Area is located within Kiribati, its importance extends far beyond one country. Oceans connect every continent, and healthy marine ecosystems help regulate climate, support fisheries, protect biodiversity, and sustain countless forms of life across the planet.

Protecting areas like PIPA helps preserve ecosystems that scientists may continue studying for generations. The lessons learned here contribute to marine conservation efforts worldwide while reminding us that some of Earth's greatest natural treasures lie far beyond the familiar coastlines visited by most travelers.

Visiting the Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Unlike many famous national parks, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area is not a typical tourist destination. Its remote location and conservation objectives mean that very few people visit each year. Access is carefully managed to help protect its fragile ecosystems and preserve its scientific value.

For most people, the significance of PIPA lies not in mass tourism but in its role as one of the world's most important examples of large-scale marine conservation, safeguarding an extraordinary section of the Pacific Ocean for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area?

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) is one of the world's largest marine protected areas. Located in the Republic of Kiribati, it protects more than 408,000 square kilometers of ocean, coral reefs, islands, lagoons, and deep-sea ecosystems in the central Pacific Ocean.

Where is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area located?

PIPA is located around the Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati, within the central Pacific Ocean. The islands are among the most remote island groups in the world.

Why is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area famous?

The protected area is internationally recognized for its exceptional marine biodiversity, healthy coral reefs, large populations of marine life, and importance to ocean conservation. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Can tourists visit the Phoenix Islands Protected Area?

Access is extremely limited. Because the protected area is remote and conservation is the highest priority, only a small number of scientific expeditions and carefully managed visits take place. It is not a conventional tourist destination.

What animals live in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area?

PIPA is home to hundreds of species of reef fish, sharks, rays, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, giant clams, seabirds, corals, and many other marine organisms that depend on its healthy ocean ecosystems.

Why is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area important?

The protected area preserves one of the world's most intact tropical marine ecosystems. It supports scientific research, protects biodiversity, contributes to global marine conservation, and helps scientists better understand how healthy ocean ecosystems function.

Why should I care about the Phoenix Islands Protected Area?

Healthy oceans benefit everyone. Marine protected areas like PIPA help conserve biodiversity, support fisheries, regulate Earth's climate, and preserve ecosystems that future generations will rely on for scientific knowledge, environmental stability, and the health of the planet.