What Happened
- At the U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, President Moetai Brotherson announced the creation of an MPA covering nearly 4.8–5 million km², virtually the entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of French Polynesia.
- Within this, 1.086 million km² will be highly or fully protected:
- 900,000 km² no-take zone, prohibiting all extractive activities.
- 186,000 km² artisanal fishing zone, limiting activity to traditional line methods.
- An additional 500,000 km² will be upgraded to high protection by World Ocean Day 2026
What Is Good About It
- Protecting biodiversity: Shields coral reefs, sharks, whales, sea turtles, and other marine species in one of the healthiest and most intact ecosystems .
- Climate-smart action: Large reserves help enhance carbon sequestration and bolster ecosystem resilience .
- Global leadership & cultural integrity: Embraces IUCN conservation standards while integrating centuries-old Indigenous stewardship, showing how small island nations can lead global efforts
Why It Leads to Positivity
- Biodiversity resurgence: No-take zones allow marine life populations to recover and thrive.
- Policy momentum: Sets a powerful example ahead of the 2030 “30 × 30” ocean protection goal, currently at ~8.3% globally.
- Cultural empowerment: Aligns modern conservation with Polynesian traditions and values.
- Tourism & sustainable fisheries: Supports eco-tourism and sustainable livelihoods, benefitting local economies.
