Assistance to Bora Bora Turtle Center and DIREN for tagging and release of 2 rehabilitated sea turtles

Assistance in the release of two rehabilitated sea turtles offshore Bora Bora that were equipped with satellite tags.

Project Parata: Satellite tag monitoring of C. longimanus in French Polynesia for horizontal and vertical movement ecology

The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), is a globally understudied species with major data gaps in large geographic regions despite its global distribution. Here we present the first study to report horizontal and vertical movement data for the South Pacific, by investigating habitat use of ten mature oceanic whitetip sharks tagged with fin-mounted satellite (SPOT/SPLASH) tags off of Moorea, French Polynesia. This study provides the first description of habitat use of C. longimanus in the South Pacific, contributing to the collective global knowledge of an enigmatic species as well as providing insight for effective management in French Polynesia, a designated shark sanctuary. 

Stranding response of two cuvier’s beaked whales in Mo'orea

 On December 16, 2023 the Réseau des gardiens de l’Océan ( RGO) was alerted by Alexandre Maite of the presence of two cuvier’s beaked whales nearing the shallow reef in Moorea. At initial sighting, one of the whales was guided to deeper waters by the local community. However, the second and smaller whale remained within the bay. The Ma’o Mana Foundation team attempted to escort the whale outside of the pass without initial success. The following day, December 17th, the whale remained on site while appearing disoriented. Alongside @asso_oceania our team escorted the animal from the seafloor of the bay to outside of the pass where the animal continued its movement offshore on its own. It is our hope that the whale has found it’s way and has a chance to return to proper health in it’s natural environment. You can report any marine wildlife in distress in French Polynesia by dialing 89 57 14 30.