Sea Turtles in Polynesia: An Incredible Revival Thanks to the Mobilization of Locals and Sanctuaries – 4

Growing mobilization for the protection of marine turtles in Polynesia

Thanks to ongoing awareness campaigns and the implementation of conservation programs across the territory by the Environment Directorate of the Polynesian government, the situation of marine turtles has seen a clear improvement.

Species on the rise thanks to increased vigilance

Dr. Cécile Gaspar, founder of the association Te mana o te moana (« The spirit of the ocean »), which has been working in favor of marine turtles since 2004, is encouraging: « For green turtles, it seems that we have been on an upward trend for about five years. » This positive trend is reflected in the increase in observations made by fishermen, boaters, or divers, both in lagoons and on the outer reef slopes. Even better, green turtle nests are reported again in areas that have been deserted for many years.

Regarding the hawksbill turtle, although there are still no confirmed nesting sites, its presence is becoming more frequent on the reef slopes. The populations seem stable, and an increase in the number of young individuals observed is noted.

As for the other species of marine turtles present in French Polynesia – the loggerhead, leatherback, and olive ridley –, the data remain too rare and scattered to establish reliable trends at the moment.