Action Plan for Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity's Programme of Work on Protected Areas - Cook Islands

Abstract

The Cook Islands has a total land area of 240km2 within an exclusive economic zone of 2million km2, of this the Cook Islands has protected 3% of its terrestrial areas and protected less than 1% of its marine environment. However these figures are considered very conservative as there are mixed management plans, programmes and activities undertaken as part of the islands of the Cook Islands traditional and customary practices. These plans, programmes and activities are not declared and established under legal frameworks, which makes it difficult to assign indicators and measures, however they are contributing to the sustainable management of resources and ecosystems. The Cook Islands have also declared it entire exclusive economic zone a Whale Sanctuary