Protection zone to safeguard Coral Sea

THE Australian government has said it plans to establish the world’s biggest marine protection zone to safeguard a huge swathe of the Coral Sea.

The proposed Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve off the north-east coast of Australia covers about 990,000sq km — an area more than one-and-a-half times the size of France.

“Australia’s vast oceans provide a source of food and resources and are a place of recreation. But we cannot afford to be complacent,” environment minister Tony Burke said.