FA'AROA
2019 - 2021
A community-based approach to reducing the impact of waste on marine biodiversity, and more specifically on cetaceans in French Polynesia.
THE IMPACT OF WASTE
Waste, nets and fishing gear abandoned or lost at sea have a considerable impact on marine biodiversity and fauna, particularly by creating entanglement phenomena. This is the main threat to whales and dolphins worldwide, causing at least 300,000 deaths a year.
STUDY: SCIENTIFIC STUDY
A 10-month scientific mission was carried out around the island of Moorea to quantify the threat. Young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods were trained to go out to sea with a local fisherman to monitor the situation. The aim was to gain a better understanding of entanglement phenomena so as to limit them as much as possible.
TAKE ACTION: WASTE COLLECTION
Underwater and terrestrial waste was collected with the aim of cleaning up the most polluted areas of our island. These events were incredible for raising awareness and discussions to find solutions together to protect our Fenua.
UPGRADING: UPCYCLING
Fa'aora means “rebirth/second life” and represents the philosophy of our project. The majority of the waste brought ashore was used to create new, useful objects and give life to an art exhibition. Vaea, from CONCRETEMENT DESIGN, our n°1 partner in this project, took care of this part.