French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson has announced plans to fully protect around 520,000 square kilometres of ocean near the Austral and Marquesas Islands. Once implemented, this will bring total protected coverage across French Polynesia’s waters to 1.4 million square kilometres – around 30% of its waters.

At over 4.5 million square kilometres, French Polynesia has the largest contiguous exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world. The newly announced protections will strengthen what is already the world’s most extensive network of fully protected marine areas within an EEZ, safeguarding ecosystems of exceptional biodiversity from extractive activities including fishing and mining.

The announcement builds on more than a decade of community-led work, involving scientific and socioeconomic research, expeditions, and consultations with local communities. This sustained engagement has been central to building the evidence base and community support needed to advance protections at this scale.

Becht Foundation supports Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, which has worked in partnership with the French Polynesian government, local communities, scientists, and fishers to help advance marine conservation across the territory. This milestone reflects the impact that long-term, community-driven conservation efforts can achieve.