The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has told the Melanesian Oceans Summit that conservation must be rooted in communities and guided by traditional knowledge.
Speaking on behalf of President Dr Hilda Heine, the Special Envoy said lessons from the Micronesian challenge show that protected areas are strongest when local people lead.
“Conservation succeeds when communities own it. Traditional knowledge and science are not competing systems, but complementary ways of caring for the same ocean,” he said.
He said the National Conservation Area Framework brings together governments, traditional leaders, women, youth, fishers, and scientists to decide how best to manage resources, linking community stewardship with national systems and global commitments.
He added that Melanesia’s vision for reserves, research hubs, and sustainable fisheries reflects the same principle.
“Ocean protection must be community‑rooted, legally grounded, scientifically informed, culturally respectful, and practically financed,” he said.
