Traditional marine resource management practices used in the Pacific Islands: an agenda for change

Abstract

Pacific Islanders should use their traditional marine resource management system to formulate better and more applicable resource management arrangements. With the continued failure of contemporary management methods, the traditional resource users should play a more significant role in the proper utilisation of marine resources in the region. This is because most of the contemporary resource management methods have features that are similar or identical to traditional management systems. This wealth of resource management knowledge should be used to complement and improve contemporary management systems. In fact, if inter-generational equity is emphasised, then the wisdom and knowledge accumulated through time should be the basis of the changes that we make to contemporary management methods. This will enhance the proper management of marine resources.