In the waters surrounding Fiji, an ancient tradition endures. Indigenous (iTaukei) communities have long established aquatic funerary protected areas (FPAs) in honor of their deceased, temporarily forbidding fishing and harvesting in designated sections of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Though historically practiced for cultural and spiritual reasons, FPAs have inadvertently contributed to sustainable resource management—yet remain largely absent from scientific literature and modern conservation strategies, reports Sonam Lama Hyolmo for Mongabay.
A recent study sheds light on these temporary reserves, which vary in size but can extend from the shoreline to the outermost reef. Typically, they remain closed for 100 nights, although some encompass broader protections. Between 1960 and 2019, communities established 188 FPAs, with 44% enforcing a 100-night closure and 47% banning all resource extraction. The practice, researchers argue, fosters a form of localized conservation, yet its significance has been overlooked by policymakers and conservationists alike.
Following the death of a chief, the community convenes to designate a portion of the sea as ‘tabu’, marking it with natural materials such as reeds or traditional bark cloth. The closure remains in effect until the funerary feast, where fish, turtles, and invertebrates are harvested to honor the deceased.
“Funerary protected areas hold much significance for the iTaukei way of life and conservation,” said Seru Moce, a clan leader. “It’s a part of our livelihood, culture, and sustainable management of resources.”
Over time, however, FPAs have diminished in size and prevalence. In the 1900s, certain FPAs spanned thousands of hectares; today, they are often confined to 1–10 hectares. Some communities have abandoned the practice altogether, citing dwindling knowledge and the financial burden of traditional rituals. Of 189 districts surveyed, 42% actively implement FPAs, while 26% do not recognize them at all.
Despite their temporary nature, FPAs have influenced broader conservation efforts. Observing the resurgence of fish populations within closed-off areas, some communities have voluntarily expanded protection measures beyond funerary traditions. Yet formal recognition remains elusive. Although Fiji’s government acknowledges customary management rights, the state retains ultimate control over nearshore waters, leaving communities with limited legal authority to enforce protections. “The legal ownership of the fishing grounds should be bestowed to the customary owners,” Moce argued. “They hold the traditional knowledge and share a symbiotic relationship with the marine areas.”
The broader conservation community has taken some notice. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Fiji has incorporated FPAs into its ecosystem-based management plans, recognizing the role of Indigenous stewardship. However, such efforts remain sporadic. “Less studied and documented, [FPAs] undermine the significant roles, participation, and leadership of Indigenous communities in marine conservation,” said Sirilo Dulunaqio of WCS Fiji.
With increasing global interest in alternative conservation models, FPAs may yet receive formal recognition as “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs) under international frameworks. However, researchers caution that their value extends beyond conservation alone. “FPAs are important for cultural ecosystem services, food provisioning, and sovereignty,” said Ron Vave, the study’s lead author. “If these practices cease, the social, economic, and ecological repercussions could be significant.”
For now, the fate of FPAs remains uncertain. While some communities push for stronger legal protections, others struggle to maintain a tradition that has sustained both their culture and their fisheries for generations.
Citation: Vave, R., Friedlander, A. M., Kittinger, J. N., & Ticktin, T. (2024). Cultural ecosystem services and the conservation challenges for an Indigenous people’s aquatic protected area practice. Conservation Biology, 38(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14403
