Marine OECM Workshop (Pacific)
Our organisation proposes to convene a 3-4-day marine OECM focused workshop in the Pacific region, with participants from Aotearoa, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, the Cook Islands & elsewhere across Te Moana nui a Kiwa/ the Pacific.
The Grand Octopus of Prosperity, Taumata-Fe’e-Fa’atapu-Hau, Tumu-Raʻi-Fenua, Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, Te Wheke/Heke/Feke/He’e where Raiatea, Havai’i Nui – The Cradle of Maa’ohi Culture
The term ‘Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure’ (OECM) defined in 2018 describes a geographic site, which is not within a protected area, that delivers long-term biodiversity conservation under equitable governance and management. OECMs can be governed by a variety of rights holders and actors including indigenous peoples and local communities, government agencies, sectoral actors, private organizations, and individuals.
Where a more nuanced and locally adapted approach is required to deliver effective conservation outcomes, OECMs will play a fundamentally important role in delivering on the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework agenda, particularly as tools used by governments and regions to reach the “30 by 30” target (30% of protection of land and oceans by 2030).
Across the Pacific region / Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, there are many examples of marine OECMs, including rāhui, mātaitai, taiāpure, locally managed marine areas and customary fishing areas, governed locally by village chiefs, communities, tribes and / or sub-tribes, and regional bodies.
The purpose of this workshop will be to discuss the potential of establishing, recognizing, and reporting on OECMs, including both possible benefits and drawbacks, and to develop a preliminary picture of opportunities and recommendations, at a regional level but also to build capability and learn from one another. As a result, a workshop report, summary, and film will be created.
It is our ambition, aspiration and intention to enable a ‘navigation chart’ for the South Pacific to establish OECMs to be drawn up. Framed in indigenous ways of doing and being, the Blue Cradle Foundation will bring together participants, facilitating technical as well as warm-hearted discussions, fostering cultural connections and relationships while finding solutions to our many complex challenges. The whole kaupapa/process will be framed and anchored in indigenous approaches, with tikanga/customary laws and principles, different world views, and adapted to the audience. This will set our navigation chart ahead, preparing a bid to host IMPAC7 in the South Pacific.Supported by:
-Tetiaroa Society (Tahiti)
-Blue Climate Initiative (Tahiti)
-Rahui Center (Tahiti)
-CRIOBE (Tahiti)
-Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
-Ocean Knowledge Action Network (Ocean KAN)
-LMMA Network
-Conservational International Aotearoa
-WWF New Zealand
