HONIARA, Solomon Islands, October 3 – The vibrant sounds of the Pacific echoed through the halls of the Heritage Hotel as the Second Pacific Island Ocean Conference commenced, highlighting a collective call to action for ocean preservation. The Dreamcast Theatre Performing Arts group captivated attendees with a performance that wove together song, rhythm, and poetry, setting the tone for a gathering focused on the urgent need to protect the Pacific Ocean.
Over the course of five days, the conference underscored a vital message: safeguarding the Pacific Ocean requires a holistic approach that integrates traditional knowledge with modern science. This approach is essential for creating policies that reflect the lived experiences of Pacific peoples.
Dr. Filimon Manoni, the Commissioner for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), emphasized the importance of collaboration across different sectors. “We all need to come together and look at a comprehensive, robust framework that would allow the different sectors to coordinate activities, and to work together in terms of what we need to do in order to protect the ocean, our resources for the development and nation-building aspirations,” he stated.
In a departure from many international conferences where policy discussions are often laden with jargon, this event centered on the voices of Pacific communities. Chiefs, fishers, youth leaders, and conservation practitioners shared their firsthand experiences regarding critical issues such as dwindling fish stocks and coastal erosion. Their calls for action were clear; they urged governments and scientists to not only listen but to implement tangible solutions.
For Leausalilo Leilani Duffy of Conservation International Samoa, the integration of traditional knowledge and scientific research is not a novel concept. “When we talk about weaving traditional knowledge into science, we have already been doing the weaving,” she noted. “We just need to expand more on it and showcase to the world how Pacific nations have always been integrated.” Duffy underscored that while political divisions may exist among leaders, the environment serves as a unifying force for the region.
She articulated a pressing truth: “As Pacific Islanders, we do not have the luxury like big countries. We are small land bases in big ocean states. If we don’t manage our oceans sustainably in the way that we always have, the ocean will consume us.”
For the people of the Pacific, the ocean is not merely a body of water; it embodies their genealogy, history, livelihood, identity, and faith. Long before the advent of technology, Pacific navigators skillfully traversed vast seas by reading the stars, swells, and winds. This rich heritage continues to inform contemporary communities as they face the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change.
As seas rise and storms strengthen, Pacific leaders view traditional oceanic wisdom not as relics of the past but as crucial resources for resilience. Dr. Salanieta Kitolelei, who studies the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and marine species, remarked, “It is the same thing, we just use a different language to talk about the same thing.” She highlighted successful coral restoration projects in Fiji, where local scientists and community members collaborate to transplant corals from warmer waters to cooler areas, revitalizing dying reefs.
Scientific leaders at the conference recognized the invaluable role of traditional knowledge in ocean management. Jerome Aucan, head of the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science, pointed out that traditional knowledge often fills critical gaps in scientific data. “When we look at early warning systems and prediction of high sea levels during storms or cyclones, we make predictions by being informed by the past,” Aucan explained.
In instances where instrument data is lacking, communities turn to the memories of their elders, who recall the specific impacts of extreme weather events over the decades. Aucan noted, “The only data we have is the elders’ knowledge of what happened that day. Some of this knowledge goes back 30, 40, or even 60 years. We use that knowledge to reconstruct past storms so we can improve the way we predict future ones.” This practice is not mere anecdote; it is critical evidence that informs scientific understanding and preparedness.
Dr. Katy Soapi of the Pacific Community (SPC) emphasized the need to embrace the sophisticated traditional systems that Pacific Islanders have long employed to monitor ocean health. “The Pacific has always been home to its own science. When combined with new tools—like satellite mapping or genetic studies of reefs—we create powerful, holistic approaches to protect our shared ocean,” she stated.
The conference also focused on fisheries management, with Dr. Noan Pakop, Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), highlighting how community-driven practices have shaped modern policies. He explained, “Our communities have long used tabu areas—closing off reefs to allow fish to regenerate. These practices mirror modern conservation methods. By combining local observations with scientific stock data, we’ve built stronger, more sustainable tuna management systems that benefit all Pacific nations.”
Despite the progress, challenges remain, particularly in global negotiations surrounding climate action, biodiversity, and ocean governance, where Western scientific paradigms often dominate discussions. Conference attendees called for greater recognition and respect for Pacific knowledge systems.
The participants shared a unified vision for a Pacific that aims to protect 100 percent of its ocean and sustainably manage at least 30 percent, aligning with global biodiversity targets. Yet, they insisted that this path must reflect the unique cultural and communal roots of the region.
As rising sea levels threaten coastlines and warming waters jeopardize fisheries, the stakes are extraordinarily high for small island nations. However, the narrative emerging from this week’s conference is not one of victimhood but of leadership.
From innovative coral transplanting initiatives in Fiji to the integration of elder knowledge in predictive models, the Pacific is forging a path where ancient wisdom harmonizes with cutting-edge science.
As Leilani Duffy poignantly reminded the delegates, the Pacific’s most profound gift lies in its understanding that respect for the ocean is not a new agenda; it is an intrinsic part of who Pacific peoples are. “Conservation is not something we imported. It has always been part of our lives. The challenge now is to make sure the world listens to what we already know.”
As the conference drew to a close, the call for collective action resonated deeply, serving as a reminder that protecting the ocean is about more than policies and frameworks — it is about celebrating the stories, histories, and wisdom of the people whose very identities are intertwined with the waves.
