Marine Protection Boost: French Polynesia says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean in the Te Tai Nui a Hau Marine Protected Area—about twice Arizona—bringing total protected waters to around 540,500 square miles, with added artisanal fishing zones and protections for seabirds, sharks, whales and unique species. Green Tourism: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete earns Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with OceanIA and an autonomous solar-powered observation platform to support marine conservation and education. Whale Rights Draft Laws: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust released two model legislative frameworks for public consultation, aiming to strengthen whale protection by recognizing whales as “kin” and shaping ocean guardianship through a mix of Indigenous tradition and modern legal tools. Ocean Science After Extremes: New FIU research finds dead plant and animal remains can help ecosystems recover after hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires and droughts—using data from sites including Moorea coral reefs. Pacific Peace Call: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renew a global appeal for peace, linking conflict risks to climate-related pressures and resilience for island nations. Seabed Mining Debate: Indigenous voices across the Pacific keep pushing back on seabed mining, arguing for sovereignty and stronger protection of ecosystems.