French Polynesia declares the world’s largest marine park to protect ocean life.
French Polynesia has announced the creation of the largest marine park in the world. This new marine protected area (MPA) spans the entire exclusive economic zone of the territory, an enormous 4.8 million square kilometers (about 1.9 million square miles). That’s nearly the size of the entire European Union.
The goal is to protect ocean life, preserve cultural traditions, and restrict harmful activities like deep-sea mining and large-scale fishing. The announcement was made by French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson at the United Nations Ocean Conference in France.
Out of the whole marine park area, about 1.086 million square kilometers (420,000 square miles) will receive strong protection. This is twice the size of mainland France.
Of that, 900,000 square kilometers (350,000 square miles) will be fully protected. These fully protected areas are around the Society Islands and the Gambier Islands. In these zones, activities like commercial fishing and mining are completely banned.
Another 186,000 square kilometers (72,000 square miles) will be set aside for artisanal fishing only. This means local communities can continue traditional line fishing methods, which are more sustainable and culturally important.
The rest of the EEZ will be under less strict rules, but extractive activities like deep-sea mining and bottom-trawling will be limited or banned.
President Brotherson also announced plans to add another 500,000 square kilometers (193,000 square miles) of highly protected ocean by World Ocean Day 2026.
French Polynesia’s marine park is not just big, it could help set a new global standard for ocean protection. According to Razan Al Mubarak, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this kind of ambition is exactly what the world needs to help restore marine ecosystems.
Marine protected areas help rebuild fish populations, protect coral reefs, and reduce ocean pollution. They also make it harder for unsustainable practices to continue unchecked.
French Polynesia’s waters are home to sharks, whales, sea turtles, and coral reefs that are among the healthiest in the world. According to Conservation International, these waters are rich with biodiversity. That makes them valuable not just for the local economy and culture, but for the health of the entire Pacific Ocean.
By limiting harmful practices, expanding protected zones, and creating the world’s largest marine park, French Polynesia hopes to keep its ocean life safe for generations. This move is an environmental and cultural win, too.
Brotherson emphasized that Polynesians have managed their marine resources wisely for centuries. Traditional fishing methods and ocean stewardship are part of everyday life. A recent survey of 1,378 residents found that 92% support new protected areas, seeing them as a way to respect cultural heritage while protecting nature.
The park blends modern science with traditional knowledge, ensuring that both conservation goals and community needs are met.
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged support in monitoring the massive marine park. With this addition, 78% of France’s ocean waters are now under some form of environmental protection or restriction, according to France’s national broadcaster RFI.
French Polynesia’s decision follows a trend among Pacific island nations. Recently, Samoa established nine marine protected areas, covering 30% of its ocean territory. These zones protect habitats for several endangered species, including the hawksbill sea turtle, which is critically endangered.
The Pacific region is stepping up to lead in marine conservation.
Brotherson says the government will also improve fisheries management, involve the public in planning, and ban the use of fish-aggregating devices (FADs). These devices attract large numbers of fish, but often cause overfishing and harm to other marine life.
With the creation of the largest marine park, French Polynesia is not only protecting its waters but also leading by example in global ocean policy.
The success of this effort will depend on ongoing enforcement, community participation, and international support.
