Last week a Chinese commercial fishing vessel SHEN GANG SHUN 1 landed on the reef at Arutua after departing Papeete en route to outside the EEZ, yet this vessel was full of fish and sharks.

The Chinese have reached into the oceans within the French Polynesia EEZ with full hands. And of this we are only aware publicly because ONE vessel had an unfortunate fate. How long has this been happening? How many fish? How many sharks?

Of what use is a sanctuary that allows the export of protected species out of its port? A sanctuary is not symbolism. A sanctuary is not loopholes.

And this incident is not only about the sharks. It is about resources meant for the mouths of this nation’s children being pirated for the profit of a stranger. A community reliant on the sea for food, for livelihood, and for income being robbed. 

What action will be taken against this commercial companies that exploit the EEZ? What initiative in policy will this create to better protect and better enforce the true provisions of a shark sanctuary?

We must incite change. Please join us in signing the petition and share with others who may be interested in this cause.