Protecting Pitcairn's marine bounty - CNN.com By Matthew Knight, CNN December 5, 2012 -- Updated 0204 GMT (1004 HKT) "These places allow us to know what the ocean was like before heavy human impacts ... and most important, to set proper conservation and management goals for our oceans," according the expedition report. Josh Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group said: "Unless we change our relationship with the sea, we will inevitably bear witness to its collapse," Reichert said. Swimming with sharks Underwater treasures Lemonpeel Angelfish Diving in pure waters Teeming with life Pitcairn's Bounty Bay Henderson Island Oeno Island Preserving the ecosystem Protecting against human impacts Pristine environment Fishing to extinction? Survey of Pitcairn Islands marine environment revealed a rich biodiversity of fish, coral and algae Pew Environment Group hope to turn British Overseas Territory into a vast marine reserve Around 1,250 marine species recorded but scientists believe many more remain undiscovered "These places allow us to know what the ocean was like before heavy human impacts," expedition report says (CNN) -- The Pitcairn Islands might only have 55 human inhabitants, but the waters surrounding them are teeming with marine life. A new study by the Pew Environment Group in partnership with the National Geographic Society has revealed the glorious extent of the biodiversity in this remote corner of the South Pacific. A team of scientists led by marine ecologist Enric Sala completed over 450 dives at 97 locations earlier this year as well as lowering cameras down to depths of 1,600 meters in a further 17 spots. Along with more than 250 species of fish, 70 species of coral and more than 60 varieties of algae were observed around the four islands (Pitcairn, Henderson, Oeno and Ducie) that make up the British Overseas Territory. To date, nearly 1,250 marine species (including seabirds) have been found in the area, but scientists believe many more remain undiscovered. Unless we change our relationship with the sea, we will inevitably bear witness to its collapse Josh Reichert, Pew Environment Group Read: Project to turn desert green trials in Qatar Given its "unique and pristine" environment, the expedition report recommends turning the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) -- an area extending 200 nautical miles from a territory's coast -- around Pitcairn into a "no-take" marine reserve. "There are only a handful of EEZs of the world that remain pristine occupying less than 5% of the ocean," the report says. These places allow us to know what the ocean was like before heavy human impacts ... and most important, to set proper conservation and management goals for our oceans. Should the UK government back the plan, the reserve would become the largest of its kind in the world, covering an area of more than 800,000 square kilometers (300,000 square miles), according to the Pew Environment Group. The proposals have received the enthusiastic backing of the Pitcairn islanders, whose tiny population includes a direct descendant of Fletcher Christian -- leader of the mutineers on HMS Bounty who settled on the island in 1790. Read: What is the natural world worth? A documentary about the expedition -- "Pitcairn: The Real Bounty Revealed" -- recently premiered at the headquarters of the UK's Royal Society in London. Speaking at the event, Pew Environment Group managing director, Josh Reichert said that until recently it was widely believed that the oceans were too vast and abundant to be impacted by humans. We now know this is not true. Unless we change our relationship with the sea, we will inevitably bear witness to its collapse," Reichert said. November 26, 2012 -- Updated 0258 GMT (1058 HKT) Many believe that fuel-cell cars will overtake electric vehicles in the near future. November 19, 2012 -- Updated 0820 GMT (1620 HKT) Modern and sustainable buildings in the UAE are taking cues from an ancient Arabic design tradition. November 14, 2012 -- Updated 1437 GMT (2237 HKT) In a region known for its towering skyscrapers, the erection of a modestly-sized greenhouse might not appear worthy of much attention. November 12, 2012 -- Updated 0409 GMT (1209 HKT) One man's artistic vision is distracting divers from Cancun's threatened underwater ecosystem. 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