A shared ocean, a common urgency. This is the message behind the campaign “One Ocean, One Breath of Life,” launched this week in French Polynesia to raise awareness about collisions between boats and marine animals. Led by the local government in partnership with the association Te Mana o te Moana and several maritime stakeholders, the initiative aims to change behaviors before accidents become the norm.
Every year, Polynesian waters host a procession of cetaceans, sea turtles, and dolphins. And every year, incidents increase. Since 2022, six turtles have been killed in collisions. Before that, no such deaths had been recorded. The turning point is harsh. “This is a new phenomenon, linked to increased traffic and excessive speeds,” emphasizes the association, which sees the 2024 accident involving the young whale Sweet Girl—a painful symbol of this trend.
To reverse the trend, the campaign relies on wide dissemination: TV spots, posters, videos in reo Tahiti, radio messages, social media outreach, as well as a series of field actions across the archipelagos of Reao, Ua Pou, Hiva Oa, and Manihi. The goal: alert boaters, fishermen, transporters, and families about simple actions to take. Reducing speed, especially in passes or lagoon areas, remains the best reflex. “A turtle’s head is no bigger than a coconut,” reminds a project coordinator. And at full speed, it’s difficult to spot it in time.
Since 2017, the association Oceania has recorded around 900 avoidance maneuvers by boats—nearly 100 per season—a sign of growing vigilance, though still insufficient. This year, efforts are being stepped up: increased presence along the Tahiti-Moorea route, VHF communication with shipowners, installation of cameras at sensitive pass entrances, and AI support. This escalation was accelerated by recent tragedies.
The stakes go beyond animals. Accidents involving humans have left their mark: the death of a subaquatic federation president in 2006, a young athlete permanently disabled in 2019. “Maritime traffic is booming, especially during whale season. And so are the risks,” warns Rahiti Buchin, president of the Federation of Underwater Sports.
Regulatory reform is now on the table. Speed is currently limited to 5 knots around structures, but stricter controls are being considered for passes and lagoons. Until then, the campaign counts on the common sense of navigators. A breath of life, says the slogan. But you have to slow down to keep it alive.
Source : opinion-internationale
