Fisheries in the Pacific

Kanak coastal communities and fisheries meeting new governance challenges…
“I remain guarded about the MPA because there are still questions about the
results of this approach, notably about the consequences of having the rule of law
take the place of customary precedent. From the beginning, I preferred to distance
myself from their (scientists, WWF, North Province) discourses. We do not want to
be hostage to this rule of law, this MPA should be above all else a sanctuary, notably
for different customary events. Here, culture, custom, our way of thinking about
things does not always correlate with this rule of law” (extract of an interview with
a 60-year-old man).
Global reflections about the economic value of MPAs have also focused on
“ecotourism” as a means for sustainable development (Agardy 1993). In the view of
the WWF, and in order to answer the expectations of North Province, ecotourism
was believed to further both marine conservation objectives and provide socioeconomic
benefits for the community participating in the management of the MPAs. In this
case study, a snorkelling “subsea discovery trail” and an “ecolodge” were considered
for the Hyabé/Lé-Jao MPA, but they were never implemented. The two projects
were aborted due to the local community’s minimal interest in such activities, which
did not fit their idea of the MPA.
“However, for the reef (Péwen), I am not in favour of letting people dive on the
protected reef. We want to continue the old ways and it is different to bring tourists
in all the time to go diving and continually disturb the fish. We protect them so that
they can be left in peace” (extract of an interview with a 40-year-old man).
“After, everyone must discuss together about it (the ecolodge) to see what they
think. We have to talk about it but it is their (North Province and WWF) idea. Our
priority is conservation, protecting resources and the old ways” (extract of an interview
with a 65-year-old man).
Indeed, these projects were based on a “simplistic vision” of the community (Le
Meur 2008). Due to the value accorded to the marine environment, the latter is
assumed to be interested in sustainable development projects. However, most local
actors have diverse job prospects and responsibilities, are invested in a good number
of tribes’ organizations and also harbour other expectations regarding the development
of their region.
“The heritage (UNESCO project) stipulates a wish to take into account human
activities. But at the council level (Pouébo), we are not sufficiently equipped; we do
not even have correct sanitation networks. No funds are available, there is no suitable
tax system, and legal texts are nonexistent. One should favour the determination of
local people land by land, unlike the big words of politicians. The politicians waste
millions on bad development” (extract of an interview with a 60-year-old man).
“Sustainable development is just a question of money for the (North) Province.
Here, people still do not have internet (high speed), there is no infrastructure for
young people, there are problems with the roads and one has to go all the way to
Koumac (on the west coast) to find stores. We also have tribal projects but there is
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