At the conclusion of the 5th Pacific Human Rights Film Festival held in Suva, a screening of “Oceans with David Attenborough” catalyzed a significant dialogue about the urgent need for ocean protection. The subsequent panel discussion featured influential voices from the Pacific, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge and long-term ecological strategies.
Soapi, Coordinator of the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science, initiated the conversation by sharing her personal connection to the ocean, highlighting its beauty and medicinal potential. Reflecting on her years as a marine researcher and diver, she expressed her profound sadness at the destructive practices like bottom trawling that endanger ocean life. “Watching the little fish swim for its life was heartbreaking,” Soapi remarked, calling for the removal of subsidies that promote harmful fishing methods contributing to ocean degradation and rising CO₂ emissions.
She advocated for stronger legal empowerment for local communities, who have managed ocean conservation for generations through traditional practices. Soapi noted that these communities often do not reap the economic and social benefits of their conservation efforts, highlighting a disconnect that needs urgent addressing. During her recent visit to a substantial uninhabited South Pacific island, she observed community discontent due to a lack of tangible gains from conservation.
In response, Soapi urged for enhanced support and training for local marine wardens and rangers, insisting that success hinges on empowering those who live in these areas rather than relying on external management interventions. She also pointed out the challenge of retaining young professionals trained in marine science, underscoring the need for jobs that can sustain new graduates within their communities.
Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of the South Pacific, provided a broader policy viewpoint, interpreting “Oceans” as a poignant reminder of humanity’s responsibility to safeguard marine environments. She stressed the significance of investing in education that fuses formal scientific knowledge with traditional practices, indicating that the children of today will be tomorrow’s ocean custodians.
The panel’s discussions pragmatically illuminated that viable ocean conservation in the Pacific must be anchored in cultural relevance, community leadership, and robust policy frameworks. The festival transcended mere entertainment, transforming into a rallying call for detailed action aimed at ensuring the health of the Pacific’s invaluable marine resources for both present and future generations.
The insights from this festival echo sentiments from recent discussions across the region, including a strong emphasis on the protection of marine ecosystems amid threats from practices like deep-sea mining. Pacific leaders have made joint appeals for enhanced recognition of Indigenous knowledge and sustainable ocean management, aligning their efforts with global discussions on ocean conservation. As the Pacific community rallies for environmental stewardship, there remains a hopeful outlook for collaborative actions that prioritize both ecological integrity and the rights of local populations.
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