Dr. Cécile Gaspar, Founder & Executive Director of Te mana o te moana
We are very pleased to announce the granting of the Mission Blue « Hope Spot » for Tetiaroa atoll in partnership with Tetiaroa Society!
Created by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, the Mission Blue Foundation’s mission is to implement actions to explore and protect the oceans. The « Hope Spot » label brings the spotlight on protected areas that demonstrate a sustainable approach and contribute to the protection of the marine and terrestrial environment. This label will allow Tetiaroa atoll to draw attention on its sustainable development programs but also inform the general public around the planet on the need to protect this precious ecosystem. Tetiaroa atoll hosts an important number of green sea turtle nesting sites and is called homes to numerous nesting sea birds. The « Hope Spot » network currently counts over 100 protected areas worldwide.
Margaux Touron, Marine biologist at Te mana o te moana and Dr. Cécile Gaspar
Quentin Genet, Marine biologist at Te mana o te moana
Since 2007, Te mana o te moana has been working on Tetiaroa atoll as part of its Research Program on green sea turtle nesting sites. Led by Quentin Genet and Margaux Touron, marine biologists of the association and supervised by Dr. Cécile Gaspar, our veterinarian and doctor in marine biology, this project is one of the most important one conducted on the atoll with more than 1,500 nests identified and protected (equivalent to about 150 000 emerging turtles). This Scientific Program includes the monitoring of nesting sites, the collection of information on nesting females and hatchings, the protection of hatchlings when necessary, and the gathering of data on the effects of climate change and the impact of predation.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder and President of Mission Blue and Dr. Cécile Gaspar
Dr. Cécile Gaspar, Hope Spot Champion, Founder and Executive Director of Te mana o te moana explains: “I met Sylvia Earle over 20 years ago. Since that day, her words have strengthened my conviction for immediate action towards protecting our oceans. Sea turtles are iconic marine species on the front line of climate change threats. Te mana o te moana’s Green Sea Turtle Sanctuary on Tetiaroa atoll has been an outstanding success. We are working to fulfill and grow Marlon Brando’s vision for a new conservation model where tourists, communities, teachers, students and researchers all play an important role in protecting our natural resources.”
Many thanks to Mission Blue!
Thank you to our partners : Direction for the Environment of French Polynesia, Air Tahiti Nui, Tetiaroa Society, The Brando, Hinerava, Vilebrequin, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, Esri France, Van Oord et IFBD.
