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The Tahitian Marine ecoregion is a highly isolated marine ecosystem. A large percentage of endemic fish and invertebrates occur here. This isolated archipelago of nearly 150 islands is surrounded by warm, clear water that supports diverse coral reefs and species.
The Marquesas Islands, along with Hawaii and Easter Island, have the highest percentage of endemic marine species of any island or island group in the Pacific. Raised coral limestone reefs, fringing reefs, and atolls exist throughout the ecoregion. Even some islands are made of coral. Giant clams lie on sand at the bottom of reefs, while spiny lobsters creep about. Green, hawksbill, leatherback, and olive ridley sea turtles swim among the coral and sea grass. Humpback whales find plenty to eat in the open waters around the reefs. The sound of beating wings fills the air as seabirds such as Phoenix petrels, Christmas shearwaters, and Laysan and black-footed albatrosses scout for fish. The waters teem with blacktip sharks, longfaced emperor fish, and parrotfish. The endemic Tahiti butterfly fish might be seen alone or in pairs on reefs.
Runoff from land has caused sedimentation and has limited reef growth. Pollution from dredging, sewers, agriculture, power plants, and mills harms water quality. Overfishing and outbreaks of the crown-of-thorn starfish are ongoing problems. The crown-of-thorn starfish population has grown rapidly since the decimation of it's natural predator the Pacific triton snail. These spiny starfish eat coral and pose a major threat to reefs in this area.
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