French Polynesia just made ocean conservation history! At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, President Moetai Brotherson announced the expansion of Tainui Atea, creating the world’s largest marine protected area. We're talking about a huge 4.8 million square kilometres, almost the size of the EU, now officially off limits to the planet-harming stuff. 

A Historic Step for the Pacific

Inside this giant blue sanctuary, almost 1.1 million square kilometres are getting strong protection. That's roughly twice the size of France. Of that, a huge 900,000 square kilometres around the Society and Gambier Islands will be fully protected, meaning commercial fishing and mining are officially not invited to the party. Another 180,000 square kilometres are set aside for artisanal fishing, keeping traditional small-scale methods alive and supporting the communities who have protected these waters for generations.

And it doesn't stop there. Even the remaining areas come with strict rules, including bans on deep sea mining, bottom trawling, and drifting fish aggregating devices. In other words, anything that harms marine life gets a firm no.

A Biodiversity Hotspot

French Polynesia is a biodiversity dream. Its waters are home to 21 shark species, 176 coral species, and more than 1,000 fish species. Protecting almost the entire exclusive zone gives these creatures a safe place to feed, breed, and cruise through the Pacific Ocean without interruption. Healthy ocean life means stronger reefs, more stable ecosystems, and a happier planet.

Community Driven Conservation

This move is not top down. It is powered by people who live, work, and fish in these waters. In a survey of 1,378 residents, a massive 92 percent supported new protected areas. Many connected these zones to rāhui, a traditional practice that closes off regions to let nature reset and recover. 

French Polynesia has been working with scientists, local communities, and global partnersfor close to a decade to make sure these protections support both culture and conservation. The result is a plan that feels modern while honouring deep ancestral knowledge.

Global Impact and Ambition

This decision doesn't just protect French Polynesia. It gives global ocean conservation a serious boost. These protections increase worldwide marine coverage by 1.25 percent, lifting the global total to 9.85 percent. And there is more coming. By World Ocean Day 2026, another 500,000 square kilometres of high protection waters will be added 

All of this aligns with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target to protect 30 percent of the planet’s lands and waters by 2030. French Polynesia is not just joining the movement, it is leading it.

Looking Ahead

Of course, protecting this much ocean is a big job. Long term success will rely on enforcement, community involvement, and ongoing support. But this is a huge, hopeful step toward a healthier planet. A win for sharks, corals, fish, and everyone who loves a thriving ocean. And a reminder that real, ambitious climate action is not only possible but already happening.

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With Love, 
Ellie xo