French Polynesia’s new protected marine area
The Gambier Islands are a small group of volcanic islands and atolls in the south-eastern part of French Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by a large lagoon and fringing coral reefs, the Gambier Islands support rich marine biodiversity and hold significant cultural value.
In June 2025, local authorities announced the establishment of a Highly Protected Marine Area encompassing almost all French Polynesian waters and covering approximately 680,000 km² near the Gambier Islands.
This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, shows the Gambier Islands and their spectacular coral reefs.
The Copernicus Sentinel satellites and services, particularly the Copernicus Marine Service, provide essential data for monitoring the Earth’s oceans. This information is crucial for the design and implementation of sustainable marine policies.
