Aeon for Ocean’s Post

🔴 Win For Indigenous Tehit-Knasaimos people in Papua, Indonesia🔴 Indigenous Tehit-Knasaimos people have become the first in Tanah Papua to have title over their traditional land recognized by Indonesian law. The Knasaimos area located in Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province is around 97,441 hectares of tropical rainforest, almost equivalent to the size of Hong Kong. This quote from Fredrik Sagisolo, Chair of the Knasaimos Indigenous Peoples Fellowship Council says it all: “Finally with today’s decree, the nation opens its eyes to an indisputable fact, true since time immemorial: that this land has always belonged to our ancestors, and so to us, and is our grandchildren’s birthright. That we alone have the legal right to determine our future and manage our land, its deep green forests, its turquoise rivers, and the many-coloured diversity of plants and animals that call it home.” This victory has not just fallen into the lap of the Knasaimos people, they have had to fight for control over their customary lands and territories for decades. This is the fight in which so many other Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are engaged today around the world. There is no way this wave of resistance can be stopped. The victory announcements will keep flowing in. This is where we will find the real solutions to protect and restore nature and not distractions like carbon markets. How can this cause then not be worth supporting? #StandWithIndigenousPeoplesAndLocalCommunities

Small island states, such as Trinidad and Tobago, lack the resources to carry out independent expeditions into the far-flung reaches of the ocean. While expense is a limiting factor, there is certainly no lack of enthusiasm to participate in deep-sea research and to contribute to the ongoing knowledge quest. Fortunately, there is good news. An international agreement recently negotiated and adopted by the United Nations aims to develop the marine scientific research and technological capacity of states party to the Agreement among its many objectives. This agreement, which addresses the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the BBNJ Agreement), is now open for signature. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) was involved in negotiating the BBNJ Agreement on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago. Written by Dr. Kahlil Hassanali, Senior Research Officer of the Institute of Marine Affairs To learn more click on the following link: https://buff.ly/4fzgKJv #imagovtt #bbnjAgreement #DrKahlilHassanali #TrinidadAndTobago #

Migingo island Migingo Island, a speck of land in the vast expanse of Lake Victoria, holds a remarkable history deeply intertwined with the complexities of territorial sovereignty, resource exploitation, and human resilience. Originally just a rocky outcrop protruding from the waters, it lay largely uninhabited and unnoticed. However, the story of Migingo takes a dramatic turn as it emerges as a pivotal point in the fishing industry of East Africa. The transformation of Migingo began when fishermen from neighboring Kenya and Uganda discovered its strategic location and the abundance of fish in the surrounding waters. Drawn by the promise of bountiful catches, they gradually established makeshift settlements on the island. What was once a desolate rock became a bustling community of fishermen, their families, and traders, all dependent on the riches of Lake Victoria. As the population on Migingo grew, so did tensions between Kenya and Uganda over the island's ownership. Both nations laid claim to Migingo, citing historical treaties and geographical proximity. The dispute escalated as each side sought to assert its sovereignty over the island, leading to diplomatic tensions and occasional confrontations between fishermen from the two countries. Despite the lack of clear territorial delineation, life on Migingo persisted, shaped by the uncertainties of contested sovereignty. The island's inhabitants adapted to the volatile situation, forming a unique community characterized by resilience and resourcefulness. They built rudimentary structures, established fishing cooperatives, and developed informal governance structures to manage their affairs. Migingo's significance transcended its physical size; it became a symbol of the broader geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. The island's fate was intricately linked to the larger interests of Kenya and Uganda, as well as regional organizations such as the East African Community. Efforts to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels yielded limited results, as both countries remained steadfast in their claims to Migingo. The continued presence of fishermen on the island underscored the enduring importance of Lake Victoria's resources for livelihoods and sustenance. Fishermen risked their lives venturing into the lake's unpredictable waters, facing storms, accidents, and occasional acts of piracy. Yet, they persevered, driven by the necessity of providing for their families and communities. In recent years, Migingo has attracted international attention, becoming the subject of media scrutiny and academic research. Scholars and policymakers alike have grappled with the complexities of the island's history and the implications of its disputed status for regional stability and cooperation.

Coastal communities' resilience depends on their conservation efforts, overcoming oppression, and influencing decision-makers. An excellent article by Katherine Arroyo-Arce that highlights the reality of Costa Rican coastal areas and the importance of an integral view of adaptation. #CostaRica #coastalcommunities #CostalDevelopment

Papua New Guinea's #PNG's #forests, #freshwater systems and #marine environments are still #underexplored. We all need to #treasure these situations and #sustainably #use them for the #benefit of all involved #now and #future generations. It is now imperative that relevant government agencies must partner and collaborate in order to enact a #policy to ensure that it is #mandatory for #individaul, #tertiary #insitutions, #comercial #firms, #Non-Governmental organizations #NGOs, Civil Society Organizations #CSOs and Faith-Based Organizations #FBOs involved in research, discovery and development to place #type #specimens in a #national #depository #system where #national #inventory of both #living and #non-living things are kept. Copies of all #raw #datasets, #unpublished #reports and #publications should also be submitted. It should be also #mandatory that #research by #external #individuals, #universities, #research #organizations and #commercial firms is undertaken done in collaboration with PNG-domiciled entities, particularly the #national #universities Intellectual Property #IP and #Copyrights are two #mandatory components of #research, #discovery, #development and/or #trial stages of a collaborative project, which should also be clearly clarified and included in any #approval and/or #research #agreement #Bats #NewSpecies #PNG https://lnkd.in/g7P2u-tb

"What is different about us is that we have a much broader view, and we also try to focus on the many small things that are important for defending our territory. We have six areas of work. The first is #guardianship and territorial defense. Second is #handicrafts, because that is how this group was born, it is who we are. Third, #education, because we promote intercultural and bilingual education for the children and women of the community. Fourth, #ancestral medicine: since we began our struggle during the #pandemic, this #medicine has been our savior; we must ensure we do not lose it. Fifth,#tourism: we want to focus on a different kind of tourism that’s based on resistance and is conscious of the impacts of disingenuous ‘ecotourism development’ in which #Indigenous communities are not taken into account. And the last one is #culture, in general: our #traditions and our #ancestry as Kichwa people." https://lnkd.in/gv-5igS9

#PeriploPacifico: Daily Update, February 24, 2024 #Saturday Welcome to #PeriploPacifico, your essential daily briefing on the vibrant and evolving landscape of the #Pacific region. Dive into today's top stories, capturing the pulse of our vast and diverse oceanic community. - US-#Singapore Defense Collaboration: A significant development has emerged as the United States and Singapore join forces to enhance their air defense capabilities in the Pacific. This collaboration underlines a shared commitment to maintaining security and readiness in the region. - #CookIslands Seabed Mining Law Reforms**: In a landmark move, the Cook Islands Parliament has updated its Seabed Minerals Act. The term "mining" has been replaced with "minerals harvesting" to better describe the activities taking place, marking a significant shift towards sustainable oceanic practices. - #NewCaledonia Protests: Tensions have flared in Nouméa, New Caledonia, where hundreds of pro-independence protesters clashed with police. The protests erupted over French-planned constitutional amendments, spotlighting the ongoing debate over the territory's political future. - Samoan Triathletes' Self-Funding Journey: Despite financial challenges, Samoan triathletes are making their way to the New Zealand Sprint Distance Championships. Their determination reflects the strong spirit of Pacific athletes in the face of adversity. - Conservation Efforts in the #CookIslands: The Cook Islands is rallying to protect its native white tern population. Recent severe weather has endangered these birds, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation in the face of changing climates. - #Tuvalu's Government Formation: As MPs from Tuvalu's outer islands return to Funafuti, speculation mounts over the formation of the new government. The political landscape is poised for change, reflecting the broader dynamics of Pacific island governance. - Tribal Violence in #PapuaNewGuinea: Ongoing tribal violence in Papua New Guinea highlights the challenges of maintaining peace in the region. Efforts to contain the situation continue as the community seeks solutions to this complex issue. Stay tuned to #PeriploPacifico for the latest updates and in-depth analysis of the Pacific region's dynamic landscape. Your insights into the complexities and triumphs of our oceanic communities continue here.

Join us on May 15th as we examine how colonial power dynamics continue to exploit Africa's natural resources, specifically focusing on conservation and water. Kenyan academics Dr Mordecai Ogada and Tete' Mausse will provide two provocations. Together, they will outline how specific colonial ideas and structures continue to function, how they are reinforced by Western institutions, including universities, and what needs to change going forward. https://lnkd.in/eBZsjQDm

Tao Te Ching – Verse 59 For governing a country well there is nothing better than moderation. The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way. Nothing is impossible for him. Because he has let go, he can care for the people’s welfare as a mother cares for her child. (translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995) -+-+-+- In governing people and serving Heaven There is nothing like conservation Only with conservation is it called submitting early Submitting early is called emphasis on accumulating virtues Accumulating virtues means there is nothing one cannot overcome When there is nothing that one cannot overcome One’s limits are unknown The limitations being unknown, one can possess sovereignty With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting This is called deep roots and firm foundation The Tao of longevity and lasting vision (translation by Derek Lin, 2006) -+-+-+- The Well of power is within. Draw from it daily. Very little else matters. (translation by Jeremy M. Miller, 2013)

Another Valuable Publication in Polar Research: A preliminary understanding of the meiofaunal community structure in the Arctic Krossfjord, Svalbard Archipelago.