Revival of Rahui Practices in French Polynesia

For centuries, the traditional practice of rahui, which involves temporarily banning or restricting the harvesting of natural resources in designated areas, has been a significant aspect of resource management in French Polynesia, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Hunter Lenihan, an ecologist and co-director of the Rahui Forum and Resource Center in Moorea, Tahiti, noted that this practice faced suppression during colonization but has seen a revival over the past decade. Rahui typically manifests as no-fishing zones in marine reserves, but can also include land-based initiatives, such as planting taro crops to mitigate sediment runoff into oceans. Community engagement has been crucial in the establishment of rahui across Tahiti. Activist Tehei has worked closely with local villagers to secure their support for closing specific reef sections for two-year periods, while still allowing fishing in other areas. The Rahui Forum and Resource Center plays a vital role in facilitating discussions between communities and local NGOs, helping to establish numerous rahui zones, including those in Teahupo’o, a site of international surfing competition during the Paris Olympics. Public support for rahui has surged, with a 2019 study indicating that 90% of French Polynesia's inhabitants favor this method over other conservation strategies. However, challenges remain, such as monitoring compliance and ensuring ecosystems have adequate time to recover before reopening areas to fishing. Despite these hurdles, efforts continue to enhance rahui practices, including the development of a fishing registration system to track catches and promote sustainable fishing.