First destination to integrate a Marine Protected Area of nearly 5 million km²

Strengthened ocean protection now forms a core pillar of The Islands of Tahiti’s development. With the ban on seabed exploitation and drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), alongside reinforced conservation objectives, French Polynesia is consolidating a model where preservation and tourism attractiveness advance hand in hand.

Specifically, this ambition results in:

Better-preserved lagoons and reefs

• More resilient marine ecosystems
• Stronger biodiversity protection
• Enhanced quality of observation and exploration for travelers

Beyond regulatory measures, Tainui Atea relies on exemplary governance. Rooted in traditional knowledge, notably the rāhui, it places local communities at the center of a shared, responsible, and adaptive management system. The 2023–2037 management plan enshrines this vision for the long term. Annual monitoring, presented to the Tainui Atea Management Council, ensures a coherent, measurable trajectory adapted to both environmental and economic realities.

Complementing Tainui Atea, which establishes a territorial-scale oceanic framework, a network of local Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is gradually being deployed across the archipelagos. The goal: adapt protection measures to the ecological, cultural, and economic specificities of each territory.

This network includes, among others:

• MPAs of the Gambier Islands
• MPAs of the Western Society Islands
• MPAs of the Austral Islands “Rāhui Nui no Tuha’a Pae”
• MPAs of the Marquesas Islands “Te Tai Nui A Hau”

Each initiative relies on a participatory approach involving local communities, fishers, associations, traditional authorities, and public institutions. This territorialized approach allows conservation measures to be tailored to the realities of each archipelago in an evolving and coordinated manner. Beyond environmental protection, this network forms the foundation for sustainable tourism rooted in the territories, with the Gambier Islands serving as the pioneering archipelago.

The ocean knows no boundaries. Whales, sharks, and turtles protected in the Polynesian marine sanctuary migrate far beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone. Outside these waters, they may face industrial fishing or seabed exploitation. Protecting the ocean therefore requires action beyond national limits. This is the purpose of the BNJ Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), also known as the High Seas Treaty, which entered into force on January 17, 2026, after ratification by over 80 states. This historic international agreement enables the creation of Marine Protected Areas in international waters.

It paves the way for a true ecological corridor, a “Pacific Blue Belt”, ensuring continuous protection for migratory species. Adopted to strengthen governance of maritime areas beyond national jurisdiction, the BBNJ marks a major step in global ocean cooperation.

By its scale, nearly 5 million km², its shared governance, and clear conservation objectives, Tainui Atea provides tangible
support for implementing BBNJ principles in the Pacific. Beyond mere maritime zoning, this Marine Protected Area embodies a vision: the deep connection between Polynesians and their ocean environment. Its model, combining modern legal frameworks and traditional knowledge, positions The Islands of Tahiti as a regional benchmark in integrated ocean governance.

These advances align fully with the 2030 Sustainable Tourism Plan, where marine ecosystem protection is a central lever for responsible, resilient tourism grounded in the realities of the territories. They strengthen local awareness, support sustainable activities across archipelagos, and reinforce The Islands of Tahiti’s international sustainable positioning.