Te Mana O Te Moana announces relocation to Tahiti

Longstanding partners with our hotels within the Pacific Beachcomber group, after spending 19 years at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa, the association’s offices have been moved to
InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa.

BLOGS, Resort, Within the Resort

July 25, 2023

Te mana o te moana acting since 2004 for the protection and conservation of the Polynesian marine environment,
has recently announced its relocation to Tahiti.

Longstanding partners with our hotels within the Pacific Beachcomber group, after spending 19 years at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa, the association’s offices have been moved to InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa.

This move allows the association to expand its projects and initiatives to a new island, including the transfer of the Sea turtle rehabilitation center, authorized and supported by the Direction of the Environment of French Polynesia.

Turtles requiring care are collected by the Direction of the Environment of French Polynesia, assessed by a certified vet and transferred to Te mana o te moana for rehabilitation treatments.

Their special residents in Moorea have also been successfully transferred to their enclosures and the newly designed turtle lagoon next to our lagoonarium. Head to the pontoon on our little motu to spot them swimming around!

Daily guided tours about sea turtles

Te mana o te moana offers a 1 hour daily guided tour within our resort on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am to learn more about sea turtles, their life cycle and the challenges they face. to learn more about these special residents and the life cycle of turtles in French Polynesia, as well as the dangers they face, from plastic pollution to speeding boats, and even poaching. In the wild, their main predators are sharks and they are most vulnerable in the first months of their existence.

This 1-hour guided tour aims to raise awareness on the protection of sea turtles. It is free of charge and open to all. Reservations are required, either in person at the Te mana o te moana kiosk, on the association’s Messenger or by email : reservation@temanaotemoana.org

Up to 20 guests can attend this informative tour that starts with an overview of all turtle species that grace our waters, then moves on to our turtle lagoon where juvenile and adult turtles who need special care. Our current residents are:

Matapo, a blind hawksbill turtle present at the Care center since 2009, immediately adapted to her new environment, to the greatest surprise of Te mana o te moana’s team! For several days, Matapo circled the lagoon, skimming the edges with her front flippers as if trying to find the enclosure limits, which is twice as big as the one in Moorea. Since then, she has evolved peacefully and is in good health. She can most often be found hiding in the rocks to rest, or active near the juvenile nursery.

Miti iti and Okely two floating green turtles, have also adapted well to their new home. Miti Iti is often hidden under the bridge, while Okely, despite her sun-damaged shell, persists in still avoiding the shady areas. Okely is easily identifiable thanks to the lycra rashguard she wears every day to protect her shell.

Finally, 11 juvenile green turtles from the 2023 laying season on the atoll of Tetiaroa, aged between 5 and 6 months, have all been placed together in a new nursery. They are doing very well and will be released as soon as they reach the appropriate size around September.

Education and Awareness Activities

Te mana o te moana is committed to education and awareness as key components of their mission. The association will resume their educational programs with local schools.

These programs will focus on marine life conservation, emphasizing the significance of preserving the Polynesian marine environment. Visitors, local communities, and schools will have the opportunity to engage with Te mana o te moana through education programs, informative sessions and interactive exhibits.

With the help of specialized educators Te mana o te moana hosts education programs on specific themes: marine mammals, sea turtles, coral reefs, environmental concerns, eco-responsibility, to develop children’s knowledge and awareness about marine life.