Following the creation of regulated mooring zones in Ra’iātea and Taha’a, the deployment of 130 eco-friendly moorings is currently underway in the lagoon. The goal: to provide better-managed mooring solutions while reducing the impact of anchors on the seabed.
Better organizing vessel reception in French Polynesia while protecting the lagoons — this is the ambition behind the program currently being implemented in Ra’iātea and Taha’a. A total of 130 eco-friendly mooring systems are being installed to offer boaters suitable mooring solutions within the newly regulated mooring zones (ZMR).
This initiative follows Decree No. 911 CM of June 26, 2025, which now regulates vessel traffic, anchoring, and berthing in the internal waters of the municipalities concerned. In practical terms, the new buoys will progressively replace traditional anchoring, which is often responsible for damage to coral reefs and seagrass beds.
The concept is simple: vessels secure themselves to fixed mooring lines, limiting chain drag and preventing coral breakage. The result is better protection of lagoon biodiversity and more sustainable nautical activity, particularly in areas that are highly popular with visiting yachts.
Installation of the equipment will continue through September 2026, starting on the west coast of Ra’iātea, then moving to the east coast, before concluding in Taha’a. This phased approach is designed to minimize disruption to navigation. The project, with a budget of approximately 150 million Pacific francs, is co-financed by the Country and by the State through the Green Fund.
During operations, specific markers will indicate the presence of divers and the work vessel. Temporary navigation or access restrictions may be implemented within the regulated mooring zones; sea users will be informed through posted notices and standard communication channels.
Ultimately, these new moorings are intended to promote more harmonious sharing of the lagoon — a welcome development on islands where nautical traffic continues to increase.
