The French Polynesian Government has announced updates to the Lagoon Management Plan which will see several anchorages closed on the island of Mo’orea and a reduction in capacity at other anchorages.

In a press release following the Government announcement, the Association of Sailboats in Polynesia (Association des Voiliers en Polynesie) outlined the changes and the potential impact on the cruising community in French Polynesia.

Changes for Mo’orea include the closure of several anchorages, a reduction in capacity for other anchorages and implementing a quota system which limits the total number of boats across the 10 official anchoring zones in the Moorea lagoon to 30.

The AVP release says that in 2014, the local government extended the temporary admission for cruising yachts from 24 to 36 months, but in 2020, this was dropped back to 24 months and new policies aimed at closing or restricting anchorages were introduced.

Current or impending closures include:

• Marina Taina Anchorage closed/closing
• Reduction in the number of boats allowed at anchor in Moorea lagon to only 30 boats and 10 of those for a maximum duration of 48 hours
• Closing of the western portion of Fakarava lagoon in the Tuamotus
• Reduction of capacity in Huahine by creating limited anchoring zones (soon to be voted upon)

The full press release from the AVP is available through the links below:

PGEM 2021:  Another strongly negative message to the cruising community in French Polynesia – AVP – French

PGEM 2021: Another strongly negative message to the cruising community in French Polynesia – AVP – English

A local news item on the anchorage limitations can be seen at https://youtu.be/SsZnEOtp5Xs

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Related News:

• French Polynesia: Paradise No More? – Noonsite December 2021
• New Anchoring Rules in Huhaine (2021)
  
• French Polynesia:  Significant Changes to Anchoring Restrictions for Cruising Yachts – Noonsite February 2020
  

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Related Links:

• Presidency of French Polynesia
  
• Association des Voiliers en Polynesia
  
• Cruising Tourism Impact to the Local Economy (AVP – French)
  

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.

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