French Polynesia Establishes One of the World’s Largest Marine Protected Areas

‍French Polynesia has designated over 1.1 million square kilometers of ocean for conservation, marking a major step in global marine protection efforts.

Over One Million Square Kilometers Protected

On June 9, French Polynesia announced the creation of a new marine reserve covering more than 1.1 million square kilometers — an area roughly twice the size of France. The protected waters represent 23 percent of the territory’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The declaration was made during the United Nations Ocean Conference by President Moetai Brotherson.

The initiative will establish two major highly protected zones: one of 220,000 square kilometers near the Society Islands and another of 680,000 square kilometers near the Gambier Islands. Additionally, 186,000 square kilometers will be designated as artisanal fishing zones, where only small-scale, traditional fishing is permitted.

Source of life

The new protected zones will prohibit industrial fishing, seabed mining, and other extractive activities. In the artisanal zones, only pole-and-line fishing from vessels under 39 feet will be allowed, aiming to preserve traditional local practices while excluding commercial fishing.

President Brotherson emphasized the cultural and ecological importance of the ocean in his remarks.

“In French Polynesia, the ocean is much more than a territory — it's the source of life, culture, and identity.” Brotherson said in his announcement.

He also added that these measures will make French Polynesia a central player in global ocean governance.

Future Expansions Planned

The move marks a major step forward in Pacific marine conservation, a region where small island nations have become key drivers of ocean protection efforts.

The announcement follows years of advocacy by local communities in the Austral and Marquesas islands.

Further expansion is now expected in the coming year. French Polynesia plans to establish additional protected zones near the Austral and Marquesas Islands, which would bring the total area of highly protected waters to 2.5 million square kilometers — over half of the territory's EEZ.

The government has also committed to banning deep-sea mining and the use of drifting fish aggregating devices. Plans include increased community involvement in ocean management and oversight of fisheries.

Part of the Global 30x30Goal

The initiative aligns with the global “30x30” conservation goal, which seeks to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030.

Environmental organizations have praised the decision.

"This level of ambition is what the world needs to help turn the tide back in favor of a healthy and productive ocean," stated Razan Al Mubarak, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The announcement comes amid growing scientific concern over the impact of climate change, overfishing, and pollution on ocean ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for large-scale conservation to protect marine biodiversity.

Photo by Baptiste RIFFARD