Why French Polynesia? It was suggested by my sister, Sandra. While overall the amount of coral reefs is declining, some regions suffer more loss of coral reefs: Caribbean coral cover has decreased by over 50% since the 1970s, with annual decline rates of 5.5% to 9.2%. Australia's Great Barrier Reef saw a similar 50% reduction from 1985 to 2012, prompting UNESCO to recommend its inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2022. Both natural and human factors contribute to this crisis. While natural causes like hurricanes and starfish predation play a role, human-induced environmental pollution and global warming are also significant drivers.

French Polynesia stands out as a rare success story. Its coral reefs, particularly in the Gambier Islands, boast impressive live coral coverage (averaging 58%, with some areas reaching 70%) and diverse fish populations. The region employs coral gardening techniques for reef restoration and benefits from limited tourism, with only 20,000 to 30,000 annual visitors. In short, the coral reef of this region is almost uncontaminated.