Protected Species in French Polynesia

Moorea and Polynesian people have a long tradition of preserving and protecting wildlife, for both long-term health of the island and the industries that it supports. Conserving biodiversity is key for the maintenance of ecosystem health and function. When species survival becomes threatened by environmental change or human impact, it can have cascading effects throughout a system.

You can find a taxonomic inventory of protected species at the INPN (Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel/ National Inventory of Natural Heritage) or the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Scientific sampling or otherwise disturbing legally protected species requires additional procedures and permits. Studying a protected species requires preparation and advance planning with Gump Station to obtain proper authorizations.

• The main pathway for authorization is to request permits and/or exceptions through the Direction Régionale de l’Environnement (Regional Directorate of the Environment; DIREN). These permit applications are reviewed by both the DIREN and the Council of Ministers before being granted.

• To export protected species from French Polynesia, you may also have to apply for an export permit should your collected species require cross-border regulations. This permit reflects the international wildlife trade regulations from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Culturally important species in Moorea

In French Polynesia, ‘rāhui’ is a “Tahitian term used to describe an integrated, community-based approach to natural resource conservation.” Rāhui restricts access or use of an area or resource, usually a food source, that is being depleted for a certain amount of time. Rotational closures allow populations to regenerate, sustaining important biological resources for the ecosystem and community.

Rāhui is commonly used for:

• terrestrial ecosystem management

• fisheries management

• coral reef preservation

• maintain water quality on land and in surrounding lagoons

Additionally, rāhui is a form of ‘tapu’ restriction, which limits access to something denoted as holy or sacred. The following species listed might not necessarily be considered endangered species, but they are considered culturally and medicinally important to the Moorea community. Great care and consideration should be taken into account when conducting any research involving these species.

Examples of some of the culturally important species on land and sea: 

Continued Reading

• Rāhui Forum and Resource Center -  information on how a collaborative organization is utilizing Rāhui practice throughout French Polynesia.

• Fabre, P., Bambridge, T., Claudet, J., Sterling, E., Mawyer, A. Contemporary Rāhui: Placing Indigenous, Conservation, and Sustainability Sciences in Community-led Conservation. (2021). doi: 10.1071/PC20087

Publication PDF

• National Geographic: Endangered Species

• Gump Station’s Collecting and Exporting Biodiversity

• Rassweiler, A., Lauer, M., Lester, S.E. et al. Perceptions and responses of Pacific Island fishers to changing coral reefs. Ambio 49, 130–143 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01154-5

Publication PDF

• Rāhui: Supporting Traditional Resource Management with Contemporary Conservation in French Polynesia, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management

• UNESCO: In Tahiti, a lagoon rescued by tradition