The world's largest marine reserve will soon be established by the Australia government in the Coral Sea. If approved, it will cover 989,842 sq km.

Located off the Queensland coast in northeast Australia, the Coral Sea is home to isolated tropical reefs and deep sea canyons. Three U.S. Navy ships that sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942 are also nestled in its depths. But more than these, sharks and tuna abound in the sea.

"There is no other part of Australia's territory where so much comes together - pristine oceans, magnificent coral, a military history which has helped define us and now a clear proposal for permanent protection," Environment Minister Tony Burke told BBC News.

Within the protected zone, Australia plans to limit new fishing and ban oil and gas explorations. Fishing, whether commercial or recreational, would be allowed in some areas of the reserve.

Professor Terry Hughes, director of coral reef studies at James Cook University, said the proposal is a "welcome step" that "cements Australia's reputation as a world leader in marine resource management".

At present, the world's largest marine reserve is one established by the UK around the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean covering a 545,000-sq-km area (210,425 sq miles).