The Tiaki Moana (English translation: Guardians of the ocean) conference in Tahiti, French Polynesia on understanding marine Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for the Pacific was both a spiritual and professional experience for me, one that left me with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships that underpin effective conservation measures in the Pacific islands. I sometimes find myself living in two worlds – I’m that Chamorro kid from the island who grew up fishing; but I’m also a senior fellow at a Washington, DC think tank. I was invited to bring both of those identities to the conference, but this essay is written from the perspective of the DC guy, and it’s addressed to people outside the Pacific islands to help you better understand our ways. I wrote the bulk of this essay from my hotel room in Tahiti waiting for my flight back to Washington, DC.
As I reflect on the discussions and insights shared last week, I am reminded of the importance of trust in the identification of OECMs in the Pacific. Trust, built on relationships, respect, and reciprocity, is the cornerstone of our efforts as guardians of the ocean. These are the human dimensions of working in conservation in the Pacific – what I like to call the who, how, and what.
