Governments and conservation groups have announced a new marine protected area in the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s richest ocean ecosystems. The initiative is designed to curb plastic pollution while strengthening protection for reefs, fish stocks and coastal habitats.

Backers say the project will also draw on blue-economy investment to support sustainable fishing and other livelihoods tied to the sea. The plan reflects growing pressure on governments to pair conservation with economic measures that help coastal communities adapt to pollution and overfishing.

The Coral Triangle spans waters shared by several countries and is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity, but it also faces mounting threats from waste, warming seas and industrial activity. Officials and environmental groups involved in the announcement say the new protected area is intended to improve long-term resilience across the region.

The move adds to a global push for marine conservation as policymakers look for ways to reduce plastic leakage into oceans and protect ecosystems that millions of people depend on for food and income.