French Polynesia creates world's largest MPA + thresher fragility study
Key Questions
What new marine protected area was announced by French Polynesia?
French Polynesia announced a 5-million-square-kilometer MPA at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, covering nearly its entire exclusive economic zone. It is now the world's largest such protected area.
What does the thresher shark study reveal about fishing impacts?
A Central Visayan Sea study found pelagic thresher sharks are highly fragile, with populations unable to sustain more than 5.3% annual fishing mortality. This highlights their vulnerability to even low levels of exploitation.
How does this MPA relate to other global conservation efforts?
The new MPA complements ongoing work like the Hammerschlag 8200-tag climate sensor project and supports implementation of the High Seas Treaty for broader ocean protection.
New 5-million-sq-km MPA announced at 2025 UN Ocean Conference covering nearly entire EEZ. Central Visayan Sea study shows pelagic thresher sharks fragile at just 5.3% annual fishing mortality. Complements Hammerschlag 8200-tag climate sensor work and High Seas Treaty efforts.