The Cabinet has officially designated 574 hectares of the southern Matira lagoon as a Category 1 protected natural area, creating Polynesia’s first lagoon reserve where all human activity is prohibited.
No fishing or water-based activities will be allowed across these 574 hectares in front of Matira Beach. The project had already received approval from the Polynesian Assembly on November 13, and the Cabinet validated it this Wednesday.
This rāhui is one of the strictest in Polynesia. Category 1 represents the highest level of protection under local environmental law, prohibiting any human activity in the area, including fishing, motorized navigation, diving, or other water sports.
Located on the southern Matira reef, the new reserve stretches 7.2 kilometers long and 750 meters wide, divided between a 500-meter lagoon strip from the barrier reef and 250 meters beyond the reef on the seaward side.
The objectives are twofold: to restore ecosystems and provide a reference area for scientific research.
Giving Breath Back to the Pearl of the Pacific
This decision stems from the Bora-Biodiv project, launched in 2019 by the Bora Bora municipality in collaboration with CRIOBE. Scientific studies revealed a decline in fish sizes, depletion of giant clam and sea urchin stocks, and increasing pressure from tourism, particularly noise pollution from boats frequenting the lagoon.
A Management Committee Established
The rāhui approach was chosen following extensive consultations with the local population conducted between 2021 and 2022.
To ensure implementation and monitoring, a management committee, Tomite Poporāhui, has been created. It brings together all stakeholders to oversee compliance, support users, and track the ecological evolution of the area.
Some Exceptions
While occasional permits may be granted, such as for canoes participating in the Hawaiki Nui Va’a race, the general rule remains maximum protection. The next steps include marking the reserve boundaries and developing a multi-year management plan for the rāhui.
