Photo Caption: Hon. Manemahaga at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia-Pacific. PC: SPREP
Nice, France – 10 June 2025 — The Solomon Islands has highlighted the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping effective ocean science at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference held on 9 June 2025.
Speaking at an ocean action panel titled INCREASING OCEAN-RELATED SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION, KNOWLEDGE, CAPACITY BUILDING, MARINE TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN THE SCIENCE-POLICY INTERFACE FOR OCEAN HEALTH, Hon.
Trevor Manemahaga, Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, emphasized that meaningful ocean science must start with the people who live in close connection with the sea. He explained that Indigenous communities of the Solomon Islands have nurtured and protected marine ecosystems for generations, and their ancestral knowledge complements modern scientific approaches to ensure sustainable ocean management.
While only 10% of the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has been formally mapped, Minister Manemahaga highlighted that the remaining 90% is well understood through the lived experience of local fishermen and elders, who know every current and track subtle changes in reef health and fish behaviour.
The Solomon Islands is strengthening its ocean science capacity through institutions like the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Research Centre. This national effort prioritizes not just data collection but also the protection, governance, and application of knowledge to support informed development and uphold sovereignty over marine resources and information.
The Minister also reflected on the 2024 collaboration with Pristine Seas, where the “discovery” of massive coral structures reaffirmed Indigenous stewardship that has preserved these ecosystems for centuries. “What science revealed to the world, our people had long protected. This is what true co-learning looks like,” he said.
As global discussions progress towards establishing an International Platform for Ocean Sustainability, the Solomon Islands emphasized that ocean science must translate into tangible outcomes that strengthen resilience and livelihoods, particularly for Small Island Developing States.
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[PM PRESS SECRETARIAT]
