TAHITI: Tainui Atea is the largest Marine Protected Area in the world

Tahiti has the Largest Marine Protected Area in the World – Image: Narno Beats/Unsplash

At the heart of the South Pacific, French Polynesia is home to an ocean of exceptional richness. To preserve this unique natural heritage, the territory established Tainui Atea, now recognized as the largest Marine Protected Area in the world. This major initiative places The Islands of Tahiti at the forefront of destinations committed to sustainable tourism and ocean conservation.

Established in 2018, Tainui Atea is the name given to the Managed Marine Area that covers nearly the entirety of French Polynesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone—almost 5 million km² of ocean placed under protection. In 2025, on the occasion of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025), this area reached a major milestone: Tainui Atea was officially designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA), becoming the largest ever created on a global scale.

Tahiti has a protected ocean spanning nearly 5 Million km² – Image: Neom/Unsplash

The Islands of Tahiti: A Protected Ocean Spanning Nearly
5 Million km²

This status strengthens French Polynesia’s conservation strategy to protect marine biodiversity, ocean ecosystems, and the resources upon which local communities depend.

The transformation of Tainui Atea into a Marine Protected Area is accompanied by strong measures to preserve marine environments:

• A ban on seabed exploitation, in order to preserve deep-sea ecosystems that remain largely unexplored
• A prohibition on drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
• Strengthened conservation objectives and the sustainable management of marine resources

These measures directly contribute to the protection of many iconic Pacific species and the preservation of ecosystems that are essential for the balance of the ocean.

Tainui Atea relies on a management plan covering the period 2023–2037, whose governance is based on several entities: the government of French Polynesia, the French State, fishermen’s associations, as well as environmental and cultural stakeholders. Each year, this council reviews the actions carried out and sets future directions to ensure coordinated and sustainable protection of this vast maritime area.

Tahiti: A network of local marine protected areas – Image: Narno Beats/Unsplash

Tahiti: A Network of Local Marine Protected Areas

Within Tainui Atea, French Polynesia is gradually developing a network of local Marine Protected Areas, tailored to the specific realities of each archipelago. These projects are currently underway in:

• MPAs of the Gambier Islands
• MPAs of the Western Society Islands
• MPAs of the Austral Islands “Rāhui Nui no Tuha’a Pae”
• MPAs of the Marquesas Islands “Te Tai Nui A Hau”

These local areas make it possible to implement specific protection measures, in connection with traditional practices, local fishing, and the preservation of lagoons and reefs.

Tahiti Tourisme as the national tourism organization will be present in New Zealand at the Auckland Travel Show on 9–10 May in the NZ International Convention Centre alongside exhibition partners Air Tahiti Nui, Windstar Cruises, South Pacific Management and Marama Tours. Throughout the event, attendees can learn more about travel options, unique experiences and accommodation across the destination. A special prize draw will also be available.

The BBNJ Agreement: Protecting Beyond Polynesian Waters

The BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) is a treaty adopted under the auspices of the United Nations. This international legal instrument aims to protect biodiversity in the high seas, that is, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Thanks to this agreement, it is now possible to establish Marine Protected Areas in international waters—a major step forward for ocean conservation on a global scale.

NAN/TT 06-05-26

You might also like: