The government of New Caledonia recently voted to designate 10% of the Natural Park of the Coral Sea, a marine reserve covering New Caledonia’s entire exclusive economic zone, as “highly protected”. This conservation move, endorsed during public consultation, will prohibit fishing and other extractive activities in the newly established marine protected areas and increases the portion of New Caledonia’s waters under high protection from 2.4% to 10%, preserving crucial habitats for an array of marine life.