Polynesian elders in Tahiti restore rahui, a cultural taboo on fishing, covering 768 hectares, to protect their environment and support local tourism.

Polynesian elders in Tahiti's south coast are reviving centuries-old practices to protect their unique environment and way of life amid over-exploitation and climate change. They're embracing traditional knowledge of the ocean and the concept of guardianship, as seen in their restoration of a rahui, a cultural taboo that bans fishing and other activities, across a 768-hectare area. The community also collaborates with the Olympic surfing venue at Teahupo'o, providing services like surf camps, camera operators, taxi boats, and water safety patrols for top surfers, to ensure that the village benefits from such world-famous waves.

August 18, 2024
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