Closed seasons are placed on one or many species at certain times of the year. A closed area is protected from any kind of fishing. Rarotonga and Aitutaki have several areas along the coast that are closed to fishing. Both forms of closures can be combined. For example, fishing in a certain area can be closed during a period when fish are spawning.
Permanent closure is done to protect all organisms in the ecosystem of a particular area.
Ra'ui is a customary community-based management system imposed to protect or conserve particular resources or areas. Routine use of the ra'ui system meant that a long-term ra'ui was not necessary. Ra'ui can be placed on an area of land, lagoon, swamp, fruit trees, coconuts, birds, coconut crabs, turtles, and many other plants and animals for the purposes of conservation or management. For example, fishing in a certain area can be closed during a period when fish are spawning.