Conservationists are hailing New Caledonia for adopting new protections around its coral reefs, some of the world's healthiest last pristine reefs.

The government of the French overseas territory to set up marine protected areas (MPAs) surrounding the Astrolabe, Petrie, Chesterfield, and Bellona Reefs, which are considered exceptional examples of coral ecosystems.   The decision protects 28,000 square kilometres of Pacific Ocean waters from commercial and industrial fishing and other exploitation, which will help conserve habitats and allow marine life to feed and reproduce undisturbed.  Tourism will also be restricted.

"This is the kind of leadership we need to see in coral reef conservation and we applaud it," said John Tanzer, the head of oceans for WWF International.  "With good management, these marine protected areas will help maintain fish populations and ecosystem health that will build the reef's resilience to the impacts of climate change in future."

Coral reefs are under enormous pressure from bleaching caused by global warming.  They only cover one-tenth of one percent of the ocean's surface but support a quarter of known marine species.  The reefs around New Caledonia host many of the 2.5 million seabirds and more than 9,300 marine species such as dugongs and nesting green sea turtles that live in the waters around the territory.