Bezos Earth Fund adds $25 million to protect over 625,000 sq mi of Pacific Ocean

The Bezos Earth Fund announced a fresh infusion of over $25 million to expand ocean conservation across five Pacific countries, adding to its $100 million regional pledge. In the Cook Islands, BirdLife International will broaden the existing Marae Moana marine park; Kiribati’s Live & Learn Environmental Education will map key habitats and boost enforcement; Papua New Guinea’s Wildlife Conservation Society will aid the creation of its first large offshore protected area; Tonga’s TierraMar will work toward a 30 % ocean protection target; and Vanuatu’s Live & Learn will operationalize its national marine spatial plan.

Additionally, Rare will coordinate a collaborative effort to develop the region’s inaugural high-seas protected-area proposals under the UN treaty. Lauren Sanchez highlighted her recent snorkeling trip in Fiji as a personal motivation for the initiative. The funding also emphasizes long-term monitoring, enforcement and community involvement to ensure protected zones are effective.