Conservation International, one of the groups involved in the formation of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), is hoping Kiribati will maintain the marine sanctuary.

Earlier this week the Kiribati government announced it was opening the UNESCO World Heritage marine park, one of the world's biggest, to commercial fishing, in order to bolster revenue.

The marine protected area has been closed to fishing for nearly seven years and the Kiribati Government said this has resulted in lost fishing licence revenue of almost $150 million.

An official with Conservation International, Richard Jeo, said it is their understanding that any changes still need to formally be approved by the Kiribati parliament before coming into effect.

Phoenix Islands Protected Area Photo: Wikipedia

He said that is not likely before next year at the earliest.

Dr Jeo said there are significant geopolitics at play in the Pacific region, and as a sovereign nation, Kiribati has the authority to decide on the future of PIPA.

He said Conservation International is hopeful Kiribati will maintain the marine protected area's designation.

Dr Jeo also said he hopes Kiribati will continue to stand lockstep with a global community that is committed to protect 30 percent of land and sea by 2030.