May 2025

We are pleased to announce that the Tetiaroa Atoll Restoration Program (TARP), led by the Tetiaroa Society, has just been officially recognized by La Mer en Commun.  This label is part of the Year of the Sea supported by French Polynesia and the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

Objective of the program: Restore the natural balance of Tetiaroa by protecting its biodiversity and reestablishing the vital link between land and ocean.

Launched in 2018, the program targets invasive species like rats and yellow crazy ants. Their removal supports the return of seabirds, whose nutrient-rich droppings help sustain coastal and marine ecosystems.

“Illustration of the differences rats make to the island and reef systems.”

Credits; Vega-Thurber et al., art by Brianna Leahy

Here are some key results:

• White tern nesting rates increased 2.6 times on rat-eradicated motu.

• Brown noddy nesting rose 2.8 times after ant removal.

• Two native crab species returned post-eradication.

• A new breeding species, the Masked Booby, has reestablished itself on the atoll.

Beyond restoration, TARP is a powerful tool for education and outreach, welcoming students, researchers, and visitors to explore the challenges and opportunities of ecological restoration.

This recognition honors a collective, long-term commitment—blending science, local knowledge, and shared vision.

TARP directly supports Commitment #1 of La Mer en Commun:

Protect coral reefs and lagoon health, sources of life, biodiversity, coastal protection, and human well-being.

Let’s raise the voices of Tetiaroa’s reefs and seabirds at the upcoming UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

Tetiaroa Society is a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #45-1080688). We host scientific research, develop and implement conservation and education programs, and curate the island's knowledge base. We partner with The Brando to establish Tetiaroa as a model for sustainability, where businesses, non-profits, scientists, educators and the local community work together for common goals. Our program objectives are summarized in our Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan, which is available on our website.