Mata Tohora: The Protectors of French Polynesia’s Whales
Polynesian waters are home to many fascinating species. Among them are humpback whales, which visit our islands every year between July and November, as well as numerous other marine mammals such as dolphins, sperm whales, pilot whales, and orcas.
These animals are sensitive to the impact of human activities on their environment. That is why the Mata Tohora (“The Eye of the Whale”) association has been working for more than 15 years to protect marine mammals in French Polynesia with the support of Air Tahiti Nui. Its volunteers’ work focuses on two goals:
- To understand animals through ambitious local and international scientific research projects,
- and to protect them through local awareness campaigns.
Every trip out to sea requires the utmost caution to protect these peaceful giants of the ocean.
To mark this whale-watching season, Agnès Benet, oceanographer and founder of Mata Tohora, introduces us to her association and shares best practices for responsible whale watching.
What inspired you to create the Mata Tohora association?
“When I arrived in French Polynesia in 2004, I noticed that some children here didn’t have the opportunity to go out to sea and see whales and dolphins. That’s what led me to create La Journée de la Baleine (Whale Day), to give children and young people from underserved neighborhoods and/or living with disabilities the chance to encounter cetaceans at sea.
To organize this event, I founded Mata Tohora, which means “the eye of the whale”, in 2013.
As an oceanography researcher and cetacean specialist, I had also established, as early as 2010, in collaboration with DIREN (the Environmental Department of French Polynesia), a rescue network for marine mammals in distress. This initiative naturally continued with Mata Tohora and DIREN, leading to the official establishment of the Réseau Local d’Échouage (Local Stranding Newtork).
Today, Mata Tohora operates across the five archipelagos of French Polynesia thanks to a network of volunteers trained to respond quickly to strandings or when a cetacean is in distress: an animal caught in a net or a pearl-fishing line, a stranding, etc.
The association also relies on a team of marine biologists and veterinarians to develop innovative research programs, gain a better understanding of cetaceans, identify the threats they face, and propose appropriate protective measures.
Our strength lies in this multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, which brings together researchers, veterinarians, professionals, and volunteers around a single goal: to better understand cetaceans so we can better protect them in their natural habitat.”
« Improving knowledge and sharing it, training, providing information, raising awareness, and taking action: these are Mata Tohora's missions »
Tell us about your main initiatives since the founding of the association?
“Since 2010, pressure from human activities has increased on whales and dolphins in French Polynesia, as in many countries around the world. I created the “C’est Assez, Respectons-les !” (“Enough Is Enough, Let’s Respect Them!”) program with the support of the Environment Department of French Polynesia. The goal is to raise awareness - both at sea, by reaching out to every vessel, and on land, particularly through media coverage - about respectful whale and dolphin watching and the approach rules outlined in the Environmental Code.
Through this program, we have raised awareness among thousands of people on the water and many more on land, with extensive coverage in French Polynesia, France, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, Scotland, and elsewhere, including more than 1,150 radio and television broadcasts, news reports, documentaries, newspaper articles, conferences, seminars, and informational booths."
What changes have you noticed since Mata Tohora was founded?
“Over the course of our 15 years of awareness-raising efforts, we have seen a shift in the behavior of people spending time at sea. We have educated more than 2,750 different people directly at sea, as well as more than 5,300 children through our educational programs.
We have gradually observed a better understanding of the regulations and a genuine recognition of the importance of respecting cetaceans and giving them the space they need. Starting in 2023, we have notably seen a marked improvement in compliance with the regulations, which has reinforced our belief that our awareness efforts are paying off.
This is also what has motivated us to continue all these volunteer-led efforts and has encouraged our partners to keep supporting us. Without them, none of this would be possible.
But nothing is ever guaranteed, and any documentary or advertisement could undo all these efforts. Since the start of the 2026 season, we have once again been receiving numerous reports of disturbances. We are therefore organizing with our team to return to the field, remind people of the rules, and help ensure they are followed. After 15 years of explaining these regulations and raising awareness among the public, we know that a presence in the field, information, and dialogue are essential for changing behaviors in a sustainable way and protecting cetaceans.
The content of widely viewed documentaries can strongly influence behavior. It is therefore essential that footage showing interactions with whales be accompanied by a clear message about maintaining regulatory distances and the prohibition against touching them. We hope that future content will thus help reinforce the awareness-raising efforts we’ve been carrying out for the past 15 years: Observe the whales, yes; touch them or seek interaction, no.”
What project are you working on right now?
“Since 2025, we have launched Odyssey for Life, an international research program dedicated to the migration of humpback whales between French Polynesia - where they come to breed and give birth - and Antarctica, where they feed.
It is a true scientific, cultural, and human adventure, carried out with an international team of about twenty experts and based on a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, ecotoxicology, acoustics, environmental DNA, and photo-identification.
Our research program has already generated new scientific insights that reinforce the conservation value of the Odyssey for Life initiative, thereby laying a solid foundation for future collaborative research and management efforts.
In 2026, with our complementary program, Puhā Tohorā, we will go even further by developing genetic and health studies based on whale blow, particularly their microbiome. This non-invasive method, carried out using a drone, allows us to gather valuable information about their biological condition and health, without disturbing the animals.
This is a first in Polynesia. We are drawing on specialized scientific expertise to develop and adapt this method to the Polynesian context, notably with support from the OFB (French Office for Biodiversity) through the TeMeUm program.
With these two research programs, the goal is to better understand whales throughout their migratory cycle, in order to better identify the pressures they face and contribute to the conservation of these populations on an international scale.”
How does Air Tahiti Nui support you in your efforts?
“Air Tahiti Nui has been a valued partner of Mata Tohora since its founding in 2013. Its support enables us to facilitate our travels and scientific missions, as well as to spread awareness of our work and our conservation messages far beyond French Polynesia.
This partnership is truly meaningful: Air Tahiti Nui connects Polynesia to the rest of the world, and through our research and educational programs, we seek to raise awareness of and protect French Polynesia’s exceptional natural heritage.
We are therefore very proud of this partnership, which takes on special significance since our founder, Agnès Benet, is an Air Tahiti Nui ambassador for the protection of marine mammals.
Through this partnership, Air Tahiti Nui enables us to take action in the field, share our knowledge, and carry French Polynesia’s voice to the international stage.”
What are the next steps for Mata Tohora?
“The coming months will be particularly important for Mata Tohora. We will continue Odyssey for Life by analyzing the data already collected and preparing new scientific missions, starting in August 2026, and then soon heading to Antarctica, thanks to the commitment of our partners and collaborators.
We will also develop Puhā Tohorā, dedicated to the study of whale spouts, in order to refine and validate this innovative method in Polynesia.
Finally, the upcoming whale season will provide an opportunity to continue our efforts in research, monitoring, awareness-raising, and the protection of marine mammals in the field.
Our goal has remained the same since 2013: to translate scientific knowledge into concrete actions to better protect whales and their environment.”
What are the best ways to behave when you encounter a marine mammal?
“The first rule is simple: observe without disturbing. When you encounter a marine mammal, give it space, slow down, and do not alter its course or behavior. Never try to chase it, touch it, feed it, or deliberately get closer to it.
It is up to us to adapt to the animal, not the other way around. A marine mammal, like any wild animal, must be able to continue moving, feeding, resting, or joining its fellow creatures without being disturbed by our presence.”
And more specifically, if we want to go on a whale-watching excursion?
“For a wildlife watching excursion, it’s important to choose an operator committed to responsible practices that comply with regulations. That’s why we’ve established the Mata Tohora Label, to encourage operators to adopt responsible wildlife watching practices and, at the same time, to guide tourists who also wish to support this initiative.
A good wildlife viewing experience is not measured by how close you are to the animal, but by our ability to observe it without altering its behavior.
It is essential to respect observation distances and time limits, limit the number of boats in the observation area, avoid approaching head-on or chasing the animals, and remain particularly vigilant when a calf is present.”
« The most beautiful encounter is one that leaves the whale completely free to continue on its way and, if it chooses, to come toward us. »
Anything else to add?
“I would simply say that protection begins with understanding. Whales and dolphins aren’t just an extraordinary sight to witness: they are sensitive, wild animals that play an essential role in the ocean’s balance.
Through Mata Tohora, we seek to get to know them better so we can protect them better. Respecting their space is already a way to contribute to their conservation.
I’d also like to extend a huge thank you to the local people, whose support and trust in us have grown steadily over the years, as well as to our partners, who stand by us and make our projects possible.
And above all, I’d like to thank our entire team of volunteers, who dedicate themselves every day with passion, diligence, and expertise. Their commitment is essential to the success of our fieldwork, our research, and our awareness-raising efforts.
Protecting cetaceans is a collective mission: it is thanks to this mobilization that we can continue to take concrete action on their behalf and for the ocean.”
Support the Mata Tohora Association
To contact the volunteers or stay up to date on the latest news from Mata Tohora, visit the organization’s social media pages: @matatohora on Facebook and Instagram.
To support the association’s work, make a donation or learn more about the Odyssey for Life mission on the dedicated website.
Images copyright :
Mata Tohora
