Fakarava: a protected atoll - from a traditional to modern management in Fakarava

Abstract

Fakarava is part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia, which is the second largest atoll in this geographical area. The atoll includes a lagoon that is 60 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide. The crown reef stands in the perimeter, but only the north-east and the south-east part is emerged. The rest of the periphery is only a slightly immerged coral plate, leaving the ocean in contact with the lagoon by many hoa1 . The atoll consists of two passes2 . The first one, Garuae, in the northwest, is located relatively close to the main village Rotoava. The Tumakohua pass, in the south, is much smaller, and is located near the old village of Tetamanu, that housed the atoll’s first inhabitants. Inhabited by about 600 people in 2007, the atoll is considered by the Polynesians as an authentic and natural destination, which is representative of the traditional paumotu3 culture. Spared from mass tourism, the local population managed to preserve the environment by using it in a sustainable and conscientious way. As a logical consequence of this exemplary behaviour, international consecration followed, in particular when the atoll was declared as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in November 2006.