Obama creates large marine reserve

MAGGIE SMITH, NG STAFF. SOURCES:
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE;
USGS; MARINE CONSERVATION INSTITUTE

Pacific Ocean reserve Photograph: Guim

Announced last Thursday, by existing monument around U.S. controlled islands, it will be the largest marine reserve ever.  Acting quickly, for the 12th time Obama has bypassed Congress and used the Antiquities Act for environmental protection. It will expand the reserve while some parts are untouched. Three times the size of California, 6 times it's original, at 490,000 square miles. Even with the enormous amount of expansion, it is nowhere near the size of 754,400 square miles that President Obama was hoping for. This will take effect in January of 2015. Protecting waters near a tiny island state of Kiribati, one of the last great tuna grounds left in the world.