Pacific people are born conservationists: Cook Islands PM

New Caledonia, June 20 -- "Conservation is in our blood. By protecting our ecosystems we conserve our cultural heritage and ensure that we can pass that heritage to future generations"

Those were the words of Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna while opening the 11th Pacific Community (SPC) Conference of Ministers in Noumea today.

Prime Minister Puna said the people of the Cook Islands, like Pacific people throughout the region, are born conservationists.

"As you all know, the Cook Islands have declared our entire EEZ - close to 2 million square kilometres - as the Marae Moana or 'Sacred Ocean'. This marine protected area is just one example of how we in the Cook Islands are putting the Blue Pacific narrative into action.

"Sustainabl...