A group involved in funding Kiribati's Phoenix Island Protected Area says its disappointed the government plans to end that status, but says it respects its right to do so.
Tarawa announced the proposed move earlier this week saying it would allow commercial fishing in the protected area, commonly referred to as PIPA.
It says the protected status has cost the country tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue from international fishing licences.
Oceans Five's Charles Fox, speaking from New York, told Don Wiseman about his organisation's role in the formation of PIPA.
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Phoenix Islands Protected Area Photo: Supplied/ Dr Randi Rotjan - CCBY-SA3.0