DHAKA: US President Barack Obama has expanded a national monument off Hawaii, creating the world's largest marine reserve.

The White House says, reports the BBC.

His announcement on Friday quadruples in size a monument originally created by President George W Bush in 2006.

The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument will now span 1.5m sq km, more than twice the size of Texas.

The designation bans commercial fishing and any new mining.

The White House says the expansion is helping to protect more than 7,000 species and improves an ecosystem dealing with ocean acidification and warming.

A fact sheet previewing the announcement also states that the expanded area is considered a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

The expansion was welcomed by environmental campaigners.

“By expanding the monument, President Obama has increased protections for one of the most biologically and culturally significant places on the planet,” said Joshua Reichert, an executive vice president at the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Greenpeace also hailed what it called a “bold decision” that will ban commercial fishing and mineral extraction in the region.

BDST: 1126 HRS, AUG 27, 2016
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