STANDING AS ONE

Oceania First Voices Alliance inspires momentum on Pacific spirit, solidarity and sustainability

By WWF Asia-Pacific

August 1^st, 2024

The bubble-like seaweed growing like lace on Solomon Islands’ inshore reefs is vital to Nerolyn Loni’s family.

For generations they have harvested the sea grapes (known locally as revo or ime) – a rich source of both iron and income in the Western Province.

“I sell the sea grapes at the market and the money I receive is used to support my family, church contributions and to pay school fees,” said Nerolyn, a Sairagi Community Facilitator. “Money is also deposited into the women’s saving club, which in turn will help my family.”

Coastal erosion in Navotua village on Nacalu Island, Fiji. Large parts of their land have already been claimed by the Pacific Ocean. © Tom Vierus / WWF-US

However, like many marine resources in the Pacific, sea grapes are threatened by climate change. Their fleshy stems are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and ocean salinity, and there’s a risk of overharvesting.

Fortunately, the women of Sairagi have discovered how to combine traditional knowledge and western science to manage sea grapes sustainably. Rules now apply to how, when, and how many grapes can be harvested – and the enterprising women are sharing their conservation strategies with neighbours. It has been so successful that families are beginning to diversify their sources of income and reduce their reliance on fish, easing pressure on those stocks.

In a groundbreaking initiative the Sairagi community, along with three others, have launched a women-led community-based enterprise making body lotion and soap out of sea grapes.

Across the Pacific, the lives and livelihoods of coastal families like Nerolyn’s are deeply linked to the health of their seas and lands. So, as climate change bears down and sea levels rise, many are finding themselves increasingly vulnerable.

But at the second Oceania First Voices Forum in Fiji in late March of 2024, a group of people across the Pacific made a bold global statement.

They stood as one and demonstrated they have the wisdom—and the solutions—now so desperately needed.

Nerolyn was one of almost 100 Indigenous climate and conservation community leaders from Solomon Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji who gathered in Suva for the two-day forum hosted by WWF-Pacific, WWF-Australia and WWF-New Zealand. Under the theme “One Voice, One People, One World”, delegates shared their stories, successes, and support for Traditional Knowledge in building climate resilience.

Nerolyn Loni addresses participants at the second OFV. © WWF-Pacific / Jason Chute

Major priorities for the alliance now include fast-tracking the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) climate finance agenda and strengthening Indigenous partnerships to develop an ‘ancient roadmap’ to COP31, which they hope will be jointly hosted by the Pacific and Australia in 2026. There is no time to lose.

The spirit, solidarity and sustainability embraced by the new Oceania First Voices Alliance represents a new movement, and one that is fast gaining momentum.

“My grandfather could simply walk to the coastline to catch a meal to feed his family,” Lavenia Naivalu, Nacula district representative said. “Nowadays, my children must walk for miles. Our corals are bleaching, our marine life is disappearing, our water sources are drying up, and there is so much coastal erosion.

“But we know that if we look after our natural resources, they will look after us in times of crisis. I want to give my children and all the children I represent hope that they will have secure fresh water and fish in the future.”

For more information about the forum, read the alliance's summary report and their joint statement.

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