reef heron with a fish

Conservation

  1. Tetiaroa Society Programs
  2. Conservation

Conservation

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.  All things are connected.  Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.     - Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce

Tetiaroa is a natural wonder of astonishing beauty and environmental, historical and cultural importance.  It is vital that this treasure be conserved, restored and protected so that its future is as rich as its past.

Tetiaroa Society is honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility for developing a plan for managing and conserving this natural marvel.  Our vision for Tetiaroa, which has guided the development of the plan, has been that the health, diversity, and resources of the Tetiaroa terrestrial and marine ecosystems and the wildlife they support, and the island’s rich cultural heritage, be protected forever.

Tetiaroa Society has put together a Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan which involves all stakeholders and serves as a blueprint for conservation work on the island. 

 

Conservation in Action on Tetiaroa

Our conservation efforts encompass monitoring, preservation, and restoration programs related to the marine and terrestrial biodiversity of tropical islands, as well as the preservation of their cultural heritage.

  • Preservation

    preservation

    Protecting the young preserves the future.  Every egg counts.

  • Monitoring

    monitoring

    Under the sea and on land, monitoring the environment is crucial to understanding and predicting changes.

  • Restoration

    restoration

    Restoring the archaeological history of Tetiaroa is giving us insights into how the 'tupuna' anchored their lives to the balance of nature.

effects of rat eradication on atolls

Tetiaroa Atoll Restoration Project - Rat eradication

Introduced rats are a major problem on Pacific islands. The rats thrive on coconuts but also eat seabird and turtle eggs and hatchlings, as well as invertebrates, and plants. Tetiaroa Society is working with invasive species specialists from around the world to rid the island of this serious pest.

Baiting Yellow crazy ants on tetiaroa

Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication

Update: July 19, 2024 from Solene Fabre of the YCA eradication team
I am happy to announce that I have completed the mapping in Tiaraaunu to verify the success of the spreading efforts, and I did not detect any yellow crazy ants! This is the third motu where eradication has been successful. The last one to check will be Horoatera (scheduled for October and November).

Biodiversity Monitoring

Using eDNA forRat Detection

The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) might be a powerful new tool to inform and accelerate decision-making in island restoration management.

Sampling in the lagoon

Impacts of Rat Eradication on Coral Reef Health

The objective of this research is to assess the impacts of rat eradication and the subsequent return of healthy seabird populations on the health of the adjacent reefs on Tetiaroa.

mapping a dance platform on Tetiaroa

Archaeological Mapping & Restoration Program

Tetiaroa occupies a very special place in Tahitian culture and history. Tetiaroa Society continues the inventory of archaeological sites on the atoll, started by Professor Sinoto, and provides the opportunity for field training programs in archaeological techniques.

male mosquito release

Mosquito population control

Our conservation efforts encompass monitoring, preservation, and restoration programs related to the marine and terrestrial biodiversity of tropical islands, as well as the preservation of their cultural heritage. Tetiaroa Society is supporting a project led by Institut Louis Malardé (Dr. Hervé Bossin) that explores innovative, more effective and environmentally safer methods for controlling mosquito populations.

2 blacktip sharks in the lagoon

Tetiaroa Reef Shark Project

In most of the world's oceans, shark populations have already been modified by humans.  As a result, it is difficult to study shark behavior and ecology under relatively pristine conditions.  French Polynesia, on the other hand, stands as the world's largest shark sanctuary, and among the French Polynesians islands, Tetiaroa is especially conducive to shark research because it is pristine, accessible, and small enough to be studied as an entire ecosystem.

Bird & Green Turtle Sanctuary

As an island with minimal human impact the atoll of Tetiaroa serves as a sanctuary for nesting seabirds and green sea turtles. Tetiaroa Society is working with local NGOs Te Mana o Te Moana, and Te Manu to monitor and protect these important breeding populations.