Salanieta Kotolelei completes PhD at USP, blending Traditional Ecological Knowledge with science to safeguard Fiji’s keystone species
Salanieta Kotolelei has earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from The University of the South Pacific (USP), marking a milestone in indigenous knowledge and ocean-conservation research. Her doctoral work centers on Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) as an indicator for recovering keystone species, drawing on the insights of 18 Fijian communities. Her thesis documents essential fishing practices, local languages, and intergenerational exchanges, aiming to safeguard this cultural and ecological heritage for future generations.
Kotolelei’s research champions the use of local languages and intergenerational knowledge transfer to ensure vital information about the environment remains alive and accessible. Her academic journey at USP began in the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching. She subsequently earned a Master’s in Fisheries Sciences from Kagoshima University in Japan. In 2023, she received the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Scholarship to undertake her doctoral studies with SAGEONS.
“This journey started for me at a very young age with stories from my elders, grandparents, and parents,” Kotolelei said. “With my background in environmental studies, I saw an opportunity to use what I learned at USP to do something meaningful for my people and to create a guiding light to help future generations maneuver through the challenges we face today.”
Family support played a crucial role in her academic progression. During her PhD thesis oral defence, she emphasized that her husband—also a lecturer at USP—and their extended family provided unwavering encouragement. “They understood the importance of my work and saw that it was a field where I was not only thriving but also able to share my knowledge with others. This unwavering support was a key factor in my success.”
Kotolelei envisions her findings as a valuable resource for local governance, noting that bodies such as Bose Levu Vakaturaga (the Great Council of Chiefs) should be aware of community knowledge and how it can inform resource management. “We protect the environment and the environment will protect us—that’s the way we survive in the Pacific,” she remarked. Her work is intended to serve as a roadmap for community-led fisheries management, illustrating a productive synergy between traditional and scientific understanding.
Looking ahead, Kotolelei plans to engage with diverse communities to document and raise awareness about the crucial role of indigenous knowledge in establishing Fiji’s environmental baseline. She stressed the enduring value of elders’ wisdom and the essential habit of listening—capacity-building that she believes must be cultivated in the younger generation.
In addition to her PhD, Kotolelei has contributed to USP as a research assistant and lecturer and is set to graduate under the Centre of Sustainable Futures (CSF) next month.
Editor’s notes and value add:
– Visuals: arrange photos of Kotolelei in fieldwork with community members, elders, and fisheries sites to humanize the research.
– Context: position TEK within broader Pacific movements to center indigenous knowledge in climate resilience and sustainable governance.
– Policy angle: highlight potential collaborations with local and regional governance bodies to incorporate TEK into environmental baselines and management plans.
– Follow-up opportunities: offer readers an explainer on TEK, glossary of terms (TEK, keystone species, Bose Levu Vakaturaga), and a short profile of communities involved.
– Potential sidebar: list key communities involved and a map showing where TEK-informed practices are being documented.
Summary: Kotolelei’s PhD demonstrates how Traditional Ecological Knowledge can complement scientific approaches to protect Fiji’s keystone species, empower local communities, and guide fisheries management within a changing climate. Her work underscores the value of elder-led knowledge and intergenerational learning as foundations for sustainable futures in the Pacific.
Positive note: By foregrounding indigenous knowledge and community leadership, this research offers hopeful pathways for resilient ecosystems and culturally grounded development across Fiji and the wider Pacific.
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