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The question of how much conservation is enough is one that is almost impossible to answer. There must first be some on basic principles or goals, such as the desirability of preserving the diversity of life on this planet, but even then the specific application of these principled to local situations can raise many complex issues (Is feeding hungry children more important than saving an endangered Land snail?). Adequacy of protected area coverage, may seem very different viewed from a world scientific perspective or from that of a local decisionmaker who seek to balance many different demands, Ultimately decisions on adequacy must be made by each country, although hopefully the needs of the world community will be taken into account. This paper looks at the principles by which adequacy of protected area coverage must be judged, evaluates the present status of conservation action in Oceania, and then develops some goals for protected area development in the region.

The archipelago of the Society Islands, in the South Pacific, includes principally high volcanic islands, with fringing or barrier reefs, but also a number of outlying atolls: Tetiaroa, due north of Tahiti, Tupai or Motu-Iti, north-northwest of Bora-Bora and, at the west end of the volcanic chain, Maupihaa or Mopelia, Scilly or Fenua Ura or Manuae, and Bellingshausen (often spelled Bellinghausen) or Motu One.