POFYNESIAN forefathers

Traditional ban on fishing much more effective than legislation

were always conscious of the need to preserve their resources, and in the Cook Islands they practised the raui, when a ban was imposed on the gathering of food either in the sea or on land. Now Rarotonga has again resorted to this traditional conservation system to replenish the island’s lagoons that have become depleted by over fish ing and indiscriminate gathering of shell fish. And although the “raui” or tradi tional ban has only been in place for just over six months in four lagoon areas here, there’s been a noticeable resur gence of fish and shell fish, says Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid. Te Tika, a chief tain from the village of Titikaveka, was

instrumental in getting the raui practised again, with the backing of the Koutu Nui, a body of chiefs that she is president of.

“It was obvious to us the marine life in our lagoons was fast disappearing, we hardly saw any fish, the Koutu Nui became very concerned and decided we would take the bull by the horns and set up the raui,” says Te Tika.

The raui is in place for two years and totally bans any type of fishing in the four lagoon areas. Even gathering sea sonal seafood delicacies, such as the roe of a particular sea cucumber that is ready during December and January has been banned. The raui system was used by Cook Islands forefathers to conserve resources, particularly when they were expecting a visit from big tere or tour

from friendly neighbouring islands. The voyages from island to island were made in huge ocean going canoes, some of 180 feet in length that carried nobles, per formers and relatives for traditional fes tivities and ceremonies. The raui is still practised in the remote northern islands of the group from time to time. Te Tika says the Rarotonga raui has been very successful and most people have respect ed it. “There’ve been one or two offend ers, but they were Cook Islanders visit ing from abroad and weren’t aware”.

She says educating people about the need for the raui and conserving marine life is far more important that any legis lation that may be introduced.

“What is particularly important is that we have to have community co-opera tion”.Te Tika Mataiapo believes it’s time some Rarotonga lagoon areas are made permanent marine reserves. An attempt to do this at a fish breeding ground failed after traditional chiefs argued that it would prevent netting of fish that enter the passages at certain seasons. ■