Presentation of the PROTEGE program at Cesec

As part of an approach to inform the country's active forces on the European programs implemented in French Polynesia, including the PROTEGE program, a presentation meeting was held last Thursday at the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council (CESEC).

A brief assessment of the long-standing cooperation between the European Union and French Polynesia was presented to the CESEC representatives. This was followed by a presentation of the Oceania Regional Project of Territories for the Sustainable Management of Ecosystems (PROTEGE).

Halfway through the project, many actions are launched both at the French Polynesian and regional levels.

On the theme of "agriculture and forestry", for example, a network of seven demonstration farms has been set up and aims at supporting the agro-ecological transition of farms through investment, expertise and exchanges between farmers.

In the field of aquaculture, PROTEGE is supporting the DRM in setting up a marine environment observation network to support the development of sustainable aquaculture and pearl farming. The participatory management of reef-lagoon resources is also supported through the strengthening of regulated fishing zones (ZPR).

On the  "Water" thematic, PROTEGE should soon allow the DIREN to instrument the Fautaua River in order to monitor the quality of its water.

Finally, the project works on the UNESCO site of the Taputapuatea Cultural Landscape, alongside the DIREN and the Directorate of Culture and Heritage (DCP), to control invasive plant species and restore the site's heritage vegetation.