In the South Pacific, French Polynesia has announced a major step to protect its ocean. President Moetai Brotherson declared that an additional 520,000 square kilometers of water will be protected from industrial fishing and mining. This new area joins existing protected zones, bringing the total protected ocean territory to about 1.4 million square kilometers, which is 30 percent of French Polynesia's maritime area.
The new rules ban large commercial fishing operations and deep-sea mining. While seabed mining was already paused in 2022, this makes the ban permanent. However, local people can still fish using traditional methods. Small-scale fishers are allowed to fish in specific areas using small boats. This decision was made after more than ten years of discussions with local communities.
The protected waters are a safe home for many endangered species, including 20 types of sharks and vulnerable seabirds. The ocean also supports sea turtles, marine mammals, and many fish and shellfish species. Some unique creatures, like the Marquesan domino damselfish, live only in this region.
To enforce these rules, France uses satellite tracking and patrols to stop illegal fishing by foreign vessels. The goal is to help fish populations survive environmental changes like rising water temperatures. This effort is part of a global goal to protect 30 percent of the planet's land and water by 2030. Funding organizations like the Te Moana Collective have provided $15 million to support the sanctuary's management. This action shows French Polynesia's commitment to ocean conservation for future generations.