French Polynesia

French Polynesia’s ocean protection milestone shows what’s possible when communities lead from the start — over twelve years of public meetings, cultural expeditions, and local scientific studies shaped every boundary. The fully protected zones cover waters around the Austral, Marquesas, and Western Society islands, sheltering sharks, whales, and species found nowhere else, while artisanal fishing zones preserve traditional livelihoods alongside strict conservation. Enforcing boundaries across some of Earth’s most remote ocean remains a real challenge. Still, this community-rooted model offers a hopeful blueprint as nations race toward the 30% goal.

French Polynesia’s Tainui Atea marine protected area, announced at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, now spans over 4.5 million square kilometers, making it the largest marine protected area on Earth. The designation bans bottom trawling and deep-sea mining while preserving traditional artisanal fishing, protecting waters home to 21 shark species, 176 coral species, and over 1,000 fish species. Critically, 92 percent of French Polynesians surveyed support the protections, grounding this effort in genuine community ownership rather than top-down policy. The move raises global marine protection coverage to 9.85 percent, advancing the international 30×30 conservation goal.