Tahiti and its islands continue each year to be a dream vacation for more than 200 thousand tourists. In particular Bora Bora which remains the most popular tourist destination. Gaston Tong Sang, the new president of French Polynesia is also mayor of this commune. Its sustainability policy allows Bora Bora, pearl of the pacific to serve as develop tourism while protecting the environment. Bora Bora’s lagoon protection is an example to follow. In his nomination speech of December 2006, president Gaston Tong Sang reiterated his wish to reconcile the tourism growing with the environment preservation and continues on saying "it is a need for our future and I have decided to adopt and enforce this constraining requirement".
However spreading what he has done in Bora Bora to others islands around Tahiti has not yet become a reality and does not seem to be a priority. The last report/ratio on the bacteriological quality of the lagoon water in these islands was presented in the Council of Ministers on June 7, 2006 by the Ministry of Health. The two main causes of the water pollution in the lagoons of Tahiti are the lack of an efficient sewer system in heavily urbanized zones and, erosion caused by heavy rains in the mountains. The island of Tahiti contains more than 75 % of the population of French Polynesia and, only 72% of the bathe points are regarded as clean. Consequently, until action is taken, it is necessary to avoid swimming in the urban zone lagoons and during heavy rainy days.
Surfing is only possible in the commune of Papara during rain. To remain in good heal
th, our friends the surfers will have to be more careful than ever to keep their mouth shut while surfing. Because once someone gets sick, complaints always come. Sustainability policy in action for the lagoons of Tahiti will have to wait to get its water 100% clean like its little sister Bora Bora We hope that during the delay, the hotels will not continue to expand construction on the remaining beaches. They have kept enough Polynesian people from enjoying the sea side swimming and surfing sites.
Va'a pearl.
