[embedded content] Encompassing some 18,000 square miles of ocean around the central African nation of Gabon, the world’s newest marine sanctuary was announced this week. Home to more than 20 species of sharks and rays, including threatened species like great hammerhead sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, and tiger sharks, protection of the area had been a major aim of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project, which conducted a marine survey of parts of the nation’s almost 500-mile (800-kilometer) coastline in 2012. Making the announcement on Wednesday at the opening of the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress, which has drawn several thousand delegates from 165 countries, the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, said: “Today I can announce our decision to create a network of marine parks covering about 23 percent of Gabon’s territorial waters and EEZ [exclusive economic zone], within which no commercial fishing will be allowed”. Via Newscientist
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