evidence: The MHIs, known as Umaenupne and Umaenea (or Leka) Islands in the indigenous Vanuatu languages of Aneityum and Futuna, are two volcanic islets located about 162 nm southeast of Vanuatu and 241 nm east of New Caledonia, a French territory. Matthew Island covers an area of 70 ha and rises to 177 m above sea level.Footnote 13 Hunter Island, some 75 km to the east, covers just 65 ha, with an elevation of 242 m above sea level. They belong to the New Hebrides chain and are therefore geologically linked to the Vanuatu archipelago, while they are separated from New Caledonia by the New Hebrides submarine trench.Footnote 14 In addition to their remoteness, their accessibility is limited, even dangerous, and only possible in calm waters, due to both their seismic activity and the steepness of their coasts. Matthew Island is home to an active volcano, and Hunter Island’s sulphurous fumaroles are still escaping. The islets are therefore unsuitable for permanent occupation, and the only infrastructure on the MHIs is the Matthew Island weather station set up in 1979. The geological characteristics of the islands make them ideal for observing the development of species, particularly avian species. Scientists were interested in them before politicians. Nowadays, French scientists monitor the MHIs as part of the New Caledonian Natural Park of the Coral Sea.Footnote 15 The MHIs’ perceived value mainly lies in their potential to generate maritime zones around them. As mentioned above, France and Vanuatu have both declared expansive maritime zones around the islets.