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At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of French Polynesia for the warm welcome, and for graciously hosting us in your beautiful country. I would also like to thank the Blue Cradle Foundation and collaborating partners for organising the Tiaki Moana Summit and Workshop on ‘Other Effective Area based Conservation Measures (OECM).

The tropical Marquesas islands are characterised by their isolation and high levels of endemicity among native fauna and flora. This includes forty-two percent of the 320 native vascular plants and a diverse terrestrial snail community, with at least 78 species represented. Of the 12 native land birds 11 occur only within the archipelago, several restricted to a single island. Nineteen species of seabird breed there including the most eastern population of the Endangered Phoenix Petrel. Monitoring of seabirds and other species before, during and after the project will inform the impact of removing rats from these islets including how endangered species respond and community interest.