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Polynesia Creates 520k-sq-km Marine Reserve, Boosts Protection

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Moetai Brotherson announced a 520,000-sq-km marine area around the Austral and Marquesas Islands.
The zone bans seabed mining, bottom trawling and industrial fishing and covers about 1.08 million km².
Brotherson pledged more artisanal zones and two reserves, raising protected water to 2.5 million km².
Regional lead Maël Imirizaldu said the US$ 15 million trust fund from the Blue Nature Alliance and Te Moana Collective is the largest contribution toward the 30 percent 2030 ocean-protection goal.

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Story summary

President Moetai Brotherson announced a 520,000-sq-km marine area around the Austral and Marquesas Islands.
The zone bans seabed mining, bottom trawling and industrial fishing and covers about 1.08 million km².
Brotherson pledged more artisanal zones and two reserves, raising protected water to 2.5 million km².
Regional lead Maël Imirizaldu said the US$ 15 million trust fund from the Blue Nature Alliance and Te Moana Collective is the largest contribution toward the 30 percent 2030 ocean-protection goal.