Tetiaroa Society Honored in “Year of the Sea”
Recovery of Tetiaroa Atoll Land/Sea Connection Brings back Birds, Ocean Creatures, and Atoll Vegetation
Ocean Elder Richard Bailey Presents at United Nations Oceans Conference
The Brando Guests Observe & Learn
From L to R: Richard Bailey, Founder, Tetiaroa Society, The Brando, and Blue Climate Initiative; Tetiaroa Atoll; Tetiaroa Society naturalist guide with guests of The Brando
TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—June 12, 2025—The Tetiaroa Atoll Restoration Program (TARP), led by the non-profit Tetiaroa Society, has been officially recognized by La Mer en Commun as part of the “Year of the Sea,” an initiative supported by the Government of French Polynesia and the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
This recognition highlights the program’s success in protecting the biodiversity of Tetiaroa and restoring the delicate connection between land and sea with results including:
White tern nesting rates increased 2.6 times on rat-eradicated motu (island)
Brown noddy nesting rose 2.8 times after yellow crazy ant removal
Two native crab species returned post-eradication
A new breeding species, the Masked Booby, has reestablished itself on the atoll.
Guests at The Brando, the award-winning sustainable luxury resort on Tetiaroa, are invited to engage with this important work firsthand. They can join excursions led by Tetiaroa Societyʻs naturalist guides to the atoll’s motus and visit the ecostation to learn about restoration efforts in action.
The Tetiaroa Society team is currently presenting their projects, research and commitment to ocean conservation at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice.
Tetiaroa Society continues to serve as a model for atoll restoration and island conservation around the world. Learn more about their conservation projects here and in the newsletter below.
We are pleased to announce that the Tetiaroa Atoll Restoration Program (TARP), led by the Tetiaroa Society, has just been officially recognized by La Mer en Commun. This label is part of the Year of the Sea supported by French Polynesia and the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Objective of the program: Restore the natural balance of Tetiaroa by protecting its biodiversity and reestablishing the vital link between land and ocean.
Launched in 2018, the program targets invasive species like rats and yellow crazy ants. Their removal supports the return of seabirds, whose nutrient-rich droppings help sustain coastal and marine ecosystems.
“Illustration of the differences rats make to the island and reef systems.”
Credits; Vega-Thurber et al., art by Brianna Leahy
Here are some key results:
White tern nesting rates increased 2.6 times on rat-eradicated motu
Brown noddy nesting rose 2.8 times after ant removal
Two native crab species returned post-eradication
A new breeding species, the Masked Booby, has reestablished itself on the atoll
Beyond restoration, TARP is a powerful tool for education and outreach, welcoming students, researchers, and visitors to explore the challenges and opportunities of ecological restoration.
This recognition honors a collective, long-term commitment—blending science, local knowledge, and shared vision.
TARP directly supports Commitment #1 of La Mer en Commun: Protect coral reefs and lagoon health, sources of life, biodiversity, coastal protection, and human well-being.
Let’s raise the voices of Tetiaroa’s reefs and seabirds at the upcoming UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3).
Tetiaroa Society is a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #45-1080688). We host scientific research, develop and implement conservation and education programs, and curate the island's knowledge base. We partner with The Brando to establish Tetiaroa as a model for sustainability, where businesses, non-profits, scientists, educators and the local community work together for common goals. Our program objectives are summarized in our Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan, which is available on our website.