aerial view of New Caledonia
Project

New Caledonia

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific Ocean, is home to an incredible array of marine life, including more than 1,700 species of fish and 473 species of coral. The waters of the territory’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) span 1.3 million square kilometers (501,932 square miles), within which lies one of the world’s largest lagoons.

In April 2014, New Caledonia created the Natural Park of the Coral Sea, which includes the entire EEZ. A government committee is developing a management plan that will define the regions of the park, how they will be used, and their levels of protection.

The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy team is pleased to have been invited by the government to join the park management committee. Other members include representatives from the government, local institutions, environmental organizations, local communities, international and local nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.”

The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project is advocating for at least one vast, highly protected marine reserve to be included in the Natural Park of the Coral Sea. This level of protection fosters healthy marine ecosystems and maintains fish populations—particularly highly mobile and migratory species—and would help preserve the waters of New Caledonia for generations to come.

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project

The Pew Charitable Trusts and Dona Bertarelli created the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, with the shared goal of establishing the first generation of ecologically significant, large, and effective marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. Today, the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project also seeks to connect MPAs and help conserve key migratory species and entire marine ecosystems. These efforts build on more than a decade of work by Pew and the Bertarelli Foundation, led by Dona Bertarelli, to create large-scale, highly or fully protected MPAs. Between them, they have helped to obtain designations or commitments to safeguard nearly 12.6 million square kilometers (4.8 million square miles) of ocean by working with communities, local leaders, philanthropic partners, Indigenous groups, government officials, and scientists. Dona Bertarelli is a philanthropist, investor, sportswoman, and strong advocate for ocean conservation. The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems, including the need for effective marine conservation.

Project Goals

The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project is advocating for at least one vast, highly protected marine reserve to be included in the Natural Park of the Coral Sea. This level of protection fosters healthy marine ecosystems and maintains fish populations—particularly highly mobile and migratory species—and would help preserve the waters of New Caledonia for generations to come.

Fact Sheet

Preserving New Caledonia's Marine Environment

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Fact Sheet

The ocean plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. It covers almost 75 percent of the globe and contains nearly a quarter of the world’s known species—with many yet to be discovered. Its waters sustain billions of people and myriad wildlife. But today, the ocean faces many threats, including overfishing, plastic waste, climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Press Releases & Statements

New Caledonia to Protect Its Coral Sea Natural Park

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Press Releases & Statements

President Philippe Germain of New Caledonia committed today to protecting 200,000 to 400,000 square kilometers (77,220 to 154,440 square miles) of marine waters within the Coral Sea Natural Park, which the government established in 2014

New Caledonia
New Caledonia
Article

Help Make Ocean Protection a Priority for New Caledonia

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Article

New Caledonia has made encouraging progress in ocean protection over the past several years, but much of its waters remain in need of protection.

Article

New Caledonia Protects Remote Reefs

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Article

New Caledonia is home to a rich array of wildlife, including 2.5 million seabirds and over 9,300 marine species, many of which thrive in and around remote coral reefs off the island nation’s coast. Those areas include some of the world’s healthiest and most isolated reefs: Astrolabe, Pétrie, Chesterfield, Bellona, and Entrecasteaux, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our Work

Podcast

Our Blue Planet–Protecting the Ocean

Episode 6

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Podcast

Three-quarters of our planet is covered with water—and it’s this water that sustains life. But our liquid planet, home to half of the world’s known creatures and plants, is facing multiple threats, such as overfishing and commercial development. That’s why leading scientists say that 30 percent of our oceans should be protected. Host Dan LeDuc explores why this 30 percent data point is important with two people committed to safeguarding the oceans: native Hawaiian Sol Kaho’ohalahala, whose culture and livelihood depend on sustainable seas; and Matt Rand, who directs the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project and has been working with people like Kaho’ohalahala since 2006 to keep our oceans healthy.