Obama proposes huge marine reserve in the Pacific Ocean

(Image credit: m-kojot/Getty Images)

last updated 8 January 2015

President Obama just announced his plan to convert a large area of the Pacific Ocean into a marine reserve off-limits to fishing, energy exploration, and other activities. The proposal could create the largest marine sanctuary in the world, doubling the area of ocean protected right now.

The United States already governs over 13 percent of the ocean area controlled by nations, and only China consumes more seafood on a yearly basis. The announcement is a part of the administration's larger push on maritime issues, which is likely to ignite a political conflict with Republicans over the scope of Obama's executive powers.