The French Polynesian government says by 2030 it plans to create a marine sanctuary covering half a million square kilometres in the south-east of the territory.
President Edouard Fritch announced the marine sanctuary at the One Ocean Summit in France.
Photo: AFP / Photononstop
The reserve, which is to be known as Rahui Nui, is home to 21 species of sharks, 176 corals and 1,024 species of fish.
President Fritch has also announced a commitment to restrict fishing around more than 100 islands in 500,000 square kilometres to traditional methods by the end of the year which will curb industrial fishing by about 20 percent.
In order to protect coral ecosystems, the French Polynesian government wants to create mandatory anchorage zones.
President Fritch said the corals represent an area of 15,000 square kilometres or about a fifth of the world's atolls.
Mr Fritch said these projects cover a area of about one million square kilometres, which is about twice the size of France.
He also announced that Tahiti is ready to host the One Island Summit in September next year.