Promising Future for Indigenous-Led Waters

An ocean reserve led and governed by Indigenous peoples is moving closer to reality — blending traditional knowledge with modern science to protect seas rich in life and culture.

“Never before have countries united across entire EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zones) to enshrine Indigenous governance, constitutional authority, and ancestral stewardship as the foundation of large-scale ocean protection,” said Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

The proposed Melanesian Ocean Reserve will span more than 6 million square kilometres of ocean and islands, an area about the size of the Amazon rainforest. It will cover the national waters of Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and extend into New Caledonia’s zone. Key frameworks are now being established: a Ministerial Platform for decision-making and four “paddles” (pillars) of the reserve, which include sustainable ocean economies, reconnecting island communities through transport, monitoring and reporting, and combining ancestral wisdom with scientific research. If realised, it would mark a milestone in global ocean protection, proving that Indigenous leadership can guide conservation at the largest scale yet.