Scientists involved in research in marine areas of Vanuatu's Santo island say they will not recommend the area as a conservation park in future.
The scientists are part of the Santo 2006 project, which seeks to explore the marine and land areas of the island with the help of about 160 scientists from twenty-five countries.
The leader of the marine division, Philippe Bouchet, says there is no need for the marine areas to be turned into a conservation park.
"My recommendation would be that energy and inventivity on conservation should focus on the terrestrial part. I believe that the marine part is not in immediate need of conservation measures. It is damaged by hurricanes, but there will be a time for recovery, but there is very little human population pressure on the site."
Mr Bouchet says although their first assessment was that the area was rich in biodiversity, they have since come to another conclusion, as they have found only a small number of each species.
