Minto Reef

Minto Reef is a largely flooded Atoll in the northwest of the state of Pohnpei of the Federated States of Micronesia. It is located 433 km northwest of the main island of the state, Pohnpei.

Geography

The Minto Reef encloses a lagoon with an area of ​​25 up to 30 km ². In the south of the reef, there are several passages in the lagoon. Minto Reef is also the northernmost and westernmost atoll of the State of Pohnpei.

The closest land mass is the atoll Oroluk 100 km to the southeast. Near the northernmost point is a sand bar that reaches a height of 1.8 meters, which is not considered an area of ​​land.

Other islands do not exist.

History

Just as the closest atoll Oroluk the Minto Reef was discovered in 1565 by Arellano.

Conservation

To the Minto Minto Reef Reef the Marina Area of Biodiversity Significance was created, with a total area of ​​4204.2 hectares.

1999 created the State of Pohnpei, the Minto Reef Marine Sanctuary. In order for a spawning area of the prongs perch is protected.

Management

Minto Reef belonged to the municipality Oroluk, which was mentioned in the census of 1980 ( with a population of 6), as one of twelve municipalities of Pohnpei. The Constitution of the State of Pohnpei, however, mentioned Oroluk no more than municipality, but performs only eleven municipalities on. Oroluk and Minto Reef are then free community (Areas Outside the Local Governments ) and are thus directly to the State Government of Pohnpei.