$US5 bln pledged for ocean conservation

Some 40 new marine sanctuaries have been created and more than $US5 billion ($A6.7 billion) has been pledged for ocean conservation efforts.

More than 20 countries participating in a high-level oceans conference in Washington have pledged more than $US5 billion ($A6.7 billion) for ocean conservation efforts, US State Department spokesman John Kirby says.

The countries joined together to create 40 new marine sanctuaries around the world to protect the oceans from the threat of climate change and pollution.