The set-up for a massive marine park around the Cook Islands should be in place by the end of the year.
The Cook Islands taskforce working on the proposed Marae Moana Marine Park says a policy and laws should be in place by then.
The members of the taskforce sent out three draft policies for public scrutiny and say there has been positive feedback, but many people will have to make compromises.
The idea was launched by the Prime Minister Henry Puna more than three years ago at the Pacific Islands Forum.
He committed the nation to establishing one of the largest areas in the world dedicated to ocean conservation and management.