While I'm hoping President Bush will create the world's largest marine sanctuary in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, Brazil is doing its part down south. This week, Brazil created an official "buffer zone" -- encompassing nearly 37,000 square miles -- around the Abrolhos National Marine Park to protect the richest coral reefs in the South Atlantic, as well as several endangered species, like humpback whales. According to Guilherme Dutra, director of Conservation International-Brazil's marine program, "The buffer zone will guarantee the biodiversity integrity in the Park and ensure that local communities can continue carrying out their means of livelihood through traditional fishing and eco-tourism activities."

Under the program, oil and gas activities are prohibited in 75% of the area, and approval for such development in the rest of the zone requires a detailed EIS showing no adverse impact. Here's hoping clever oil exploration companies don't find loopholes in this program. Nevertheless, my hat is off to Brazil for this enlightened, progressive move. Now, if they'd only sign the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.

[News tip via Dive News; image courtesy Louise Pedroso]