Tama no te Tairoto, unraveling the mysteries of the lagoon together
The lagoons and rivers of the Polynesian islands have not yet revealed all their secrets.
In 2014, Vetea Liao happened to witness the spawning of Porites rus coral colonies, a reproductive phenomenon that was then very rarely documented. After several years of research, he founded the Tama no te Tairoto association in 2021 with Anne-Marie Trinh and Marguerite Taiarui, launching a true collaborative scientific adventure now supported by Air Tahiti Nui.
Their goal? To better understand marine ecosystems in order to better protect them.
Tama no te Tairoto translates to “Children of the Lagoon.” Behind this evocative name, the association studies, raises awareness, educates, and invites everyone to become a guardian of French Polynesia’s natural heritage. Because we all have a role to play.
Meet Vetea Liao, director of the association.
Can you tell us about your background and what led you to create Tama no te Tairoto?
“I’m a marine biologist. My passion was sparked by spearfishing, something I did when I was young. After studying in mainland France, I returned to Polynesia in 2009 and worked for research laboratories and then for the government as an agent with the Department of Marine Resources.
During my work, I discovered a phenomenon of synchronized spawning amongst Porites rus corals. I began studying it on my own, and with the help of a few friends, I realized that spawning occurred simultaneously across several islands in French Polynesia and that it was predictable.
To observe this phenomenon, I gradually built up a citizen science network. To study it more effectively, we needed to expand the network of observers. This is what led to the creation of the Tama no te Tairoto association.
I left my job as a civil service employee to devote myself to its development. Today, our network of coral spawning observers has gone international! We are also developing various other projects on reef ecosystems, lagoons, and rivers.”
What are the association’s main goals?
“Our primary goal is the preservation of aquatic ecosystems. So, naturally, we focus on reefs, which form the foundation of the largest ecosystem on which we depend, but also on rivers, because they connect the land and the sea and are affected by many issues.
All the observations made in our participatory programs help improve the understanding of our ecosystems. Because to truly protect something, we must first and foremost understand it well. Ultimately, this will allow us to better protect marine species and better manage human activities in aquatic environments.
To successfully carry out our mission, it was important to include a public awareness campaign. The association aims to reconnect the public with this biodiversity. In Polynesia, we live very close to coral reefs and the entire ecosystem that surrounds us, and yet many people are not truly aware of the importance of coral and marine creatures in our daily lives.
We would really like to help bring the public closer to these ecosystems. For example, observing coral spawning helps them realize that coral is an animal that reproduces. This helps people start to view reefs in a different light.
In the long term, this will also allow us to achieve another goal: the restoration of fringing reefs, that is, those located along the coastline. To do this, we need to engage the people who live by the sea. The goal is really to get residents actively involved in this effort to restore and protect the coral. Everyone can do their part, and if everyone protects the small coral garden right outside their home, it will go a long way toward restoring the reef! ”
What projects are you currently working on?
“We have two main projects: monitoring coral spawning at the local and international levels, and the fringing reef restoration project that began this year. But beyond that, we also have other ongoing initiatives and programs:
1 - Marine Education Areas, which involve bringing children into the water so they can learn more about their environment.
2 - The cultural project to create a Tahitian lexicon compiling all terms related to coral, so that people can reclaim the language associated with this topic.
3 - Another participatory project supported by Air Tahiti Nui, which involves conducting an inventory of nudibranchs. These are small, very colorful sea slugs.
4- Finally, we organize events on a regular basis, including an annual photography and art exhibition. Each year, it focuses on a specific and innovative theme. In 2026, the theme was “Life Between Two Worlds,” exploring all the connections between land, sea, and sky, and all the animals that inhabit the border between these worlds.”
Tama no te Tairoto in a nutshell
Since the association was founded, there have been...
750 observations,
at 220 sites around the world,
involving more than 1,300 observers!
Could you tell us a little about your partnership with Air Tahiti Nui?
“The project we’re partnering on is called “La Quinzaine des nudibranches" or "Nudibranch Fortnight.”
The goal is to mobilize volunteers over a 15-day period to visit numerous locations in Tahiti and Moorea, both day and night, and try to find as many species of nudibranchs (sea slugs) as possible. This operation is led by two researchers who have already organized similar events in New Caledonia and other countries around the world: Philippe Bouchet, professor emeritus and malacologist (mollusk specialist) at the Natural History Museum in Paris, and Angel Valdes, professor and nudibranch specialist at California State Polytechnic University in the United States.
The goal is to mobilize as many people as possible over two weeks to make the most of the researchers’ time on-site.
It’s also an opportunity to create a convivial event, allowing us to meet these experts, organize lectures, and share meals together. Air Tahiti Nui is supporting us in organizing this project by enabling us to bring these two researchers to the territory. On-site, our other partners are assisting us with other logistical aspects. This invaluable support has allowed us to put together a truly collaborative project from start to finish, without straining the association’s budget.
The “Nudibranch Fortnight” will take place from June 16 to July 2 and will provide material for the upcoming photography exhibition scheduled for June 2027. This will allow us to raise awareness about nudibranchs, animals whose existence is generally little known.”
What message would you like to share with our readers?
“First, I’d like to emphasize the importance of individual action. Many people think that global warming is what’s killing the coral, that it’s not our fault, and that there’s nothing we can do about it. That’s why I’m highlighting the project to restore fringing reefs, the ones closest to us: these aren’t being killed by global warming, but by our human activities!
All the products we use in our daily lives end up in the soil and eventually flow into the lagoon: household products, fertilizers, cosmetics, treated wastewater…
We all have a responsibility, and this is especially true for people who, like me, live by the sea. This means we’re all responsible in our daily lives.
The first thing is to be aware that coral is a living animal. You shouldn’t step on it, and you must be careful not to damage it when you're in the lagoon. This is a good start, and it’s something everyone can do. We must be more than just spectators, because change also comes from these small actions for the environment.”
Contact and support the Tama no te Tairoto Association
To learn more and find out the latest news about the association, visit the Tama no te Tairoto website or their social media pages. There you’ll find all the dates for conferences, exhibitions, and other events organized by Tama no te Tairoto, as well as calls for public participation in environmental initiatives.
If you’d like to offer your help or donate, please feel free to contact the association directly.
Photo credits:
Team: Tama no te tairoto
Lagoon: Vetea Liao / Tama no te tairoto
Coral spawning : Felix Jobbe / Captain Darwin
Nudibranchs: Pauline Bosserelle / Tama no te tairoto
