Peter Brown is Professor in the EASTCO Research Centre for Oceanian Cultures, University of French Polynesia, and a member of the Pacific Institute, Australian National University, and the editorial board of the interdisciplinary journal Hermès (CNRS, Paris).

Nabila Gaertner-Mazouni is Professor in Marine Biology (UMR EIO) and Vice-President for Research at the University of French Polynesia. She specializes in the ecology of molluscs and the integrated management of ecosystems, analysing the impact of human activities with a view to sustainable development.