The territory of the Reserve, together with its water areas, covers 15 600 square km. The Reserve was established to protect valuable and vulnerable ecosystems and to promote sustainable and balanced development of the islands.
Koos merega võtab see enda alla 15 600 km². Ala eesmärk on kaitsta erilisi ja kergesti haavatavaid ökosüsteeme ning samas suunata saarte säästlikku ja tasakaalukat arengut.