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Customary Marine Tenure and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Palau

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Customary Marine Tenure and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Palau San Jose State University SJSU ScholarWorks Master's Theses Master's Theses and Graduate Research 2008 Customary marine tenure and traditional ecological knowledge in Palau Robin Putney San Jose State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses Recommended Citation Putney, Robin, "Customary marine tenure and traditional ecological knowledge in Palau" (2008). Master's Theses. 3493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.32rm-qsxp https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/3493 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses and Graduate Research at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CUSTOMARY MARINE TENURE AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN PALAU A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Environmental Studies San José State University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Robin Putney May 2008 1458135 Copyright 2008 by Putney, Robin All rights reserved 1458135 2009 © 2008 Robin Carol Putney ALL RIGHTS RESERVED APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES _________________________________________________________ Dr. Katherine Kao Cushing, Chair, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies _________________________________________________________ Dr. Gary Klee, Professor, Department of Environmental Studies _________________________________________________________ Dr. Lorne Todd Holyoak, Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Anthropology and Religious Studies, University of Saskatchewan APPROVED FOR THE UNIVERSITY _________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT CUSTOMARY MARINE TENURE AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN PALAU by Robin Putney This case study serves to document past conservation practices still valuable to Palauans and recommends their incorporation in future marine resource management. Employing ethnographic methods, Customary Marine Tenure (CMT) systems of Ngarchelong and Kayangel State villages are described. The extent of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) currently used and development goals of these communities in the face of rapid economic development are also examined. Kayangel's and Ngarchelong’s CMT by village is still valued by elders, but is no longer adhered to by younger generations. TEK is not necessary in fishing due to recent technological changes in gear, therefore much has been forgotten. Improved enforcement of state and national laws is urgently needed. Individuals value healthy reefs and believe that high end, low volume eco-tourism, operated to directly benefit villagers, will eliminate the need to fish to generate income. Elders also recommend increasing the number of MPAs within the Northern Reefs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This ethnography is dedicated to the children of Kayangel and Ngarchelong. It is my hope that you sit with your grandparents and ask them much more about your reefs and family histories. Instrumental among the many people who have helped guide my research are the staff members of the Palau Conservation Society, namely: Tiare Holm, Asap Bukurrou, Tino Kloulchad, Lerince Kelmel, Yalap P. Yalap, Scott Kiefer, Elizabeth Matthews, Bernie Keldermans, and Umai. Without their support and expertise regarding the Northern Reefs, this case study would not have been possible. I am also grateful for the friendship and hospitality of Rachel Dimitruk, Nica Umedib, Mike Palo and Myrna Palo. In North America, Katherine Cushing gave me the encouragement to complete this project; Gary Klee supplied the inspiration to start my research; and Lorne Holyoak gave me much needed constructive criticism. My parents supplied me with endless love and support to return to Palau and accomplish my goal. Most importantly, my partner Joshua Mendenhall stood by me through months of fieldwork on the other side of the planet, supporting and encouraging my work. v. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures............................................................................................. viii List of Appendices...................................................................................... xi List of Acronyms........................................................................................ xii Introduction................................................................................................ 1 Problem Statement..................................................................................... 7 Literature Review...................................................................................... 9 Research Questions & Objectives............................................................. 15 Study System............................................................................................ 17 Research Design........................................................................................ 20 Data Collection......................................................................................... 24 Data Analysis............................................................................................ 26 Results....................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 1: Reef Ownership & Use........................................................... 31 Chapter 2: Ngarangeseu............................................................................ 44 Chapter 3: Conservation Practices............................................................ 52 Chapter 4: Taboo Seafood........................................................................ 60 Chapter 5: Marine Laws & Enforcement................................................. 63 Chapter 6: Canoes & Other Boats............................................................ 79 Chapter 7: Fishing Methods..................................................................... 83 Chapter 8: TEK....................................................................................... 94 vi. Chapter 9: Sale & Consumption.............................................................. 104 Chapter 10: Future Development............................................................. 114 Chapter 11: Summary and Conclusions.................................................. 124 References Cited...................................................................................... 129 Appendices............................................................................................... 133 vii. LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Kayangel and Ngarchelong States, located at the northern end of the Palau archipelago........................................................................................................ 4 2. Palau has 36 conservation areas, as of March 2008.......................................... 6 3. Palau’s compact road, on the west side of Babeldaob, heading north toward Ngarchelong State............................................................................................ 13 4. Ngerukuid Islands Wildlife Preserve, located within the southern lagoon of Koror State’s Rock Islands.............................................................................. 13 5. Coral dredging on the west side of Babeldaob................................................ 18 6. The eight channels of the Northern Reefs....................................................... 19 7. Marine Protected Areas: Ebiil Channel Conservation Area and Ngeruangel Reserve............................................................................................................ 21 8. Four major trends from research questions consistently differ between past and present...................................................................................................... 30 9. Dilong and Dimes villages shared fishing rights within the lagoon of Ngcheangel Atoll............................................................................................. 32 10. Division of Ngkesol reef between Dilong and Dimes villages...................... 33 11. Ngebei, Nberbau and Iebukel villages are located on the east coast of Ngarchelong................................................................................................... 36 12. Kiuid channel is located on Tketau reef........................................................ 40 13. Ollei village owned the reefs from Kiuid Channel up to Ngerael reef and south to Ngerteuel reef.................................................................................. 41 14. Mengellang village owned the reefs extending from Oketol dock including Ngerteuel reef................................................................................................ 42 15. Ngkesol and Tketau reefs are open to subsistence fishing by both Kayangel and Ngarchelong............................................................................................ 48 viii. 16. Reef fish caught within Kayangel lagoon February 7, 2007.......................... 50 17. Green turtle speared for Ngarangeseu celebration......................................... 50 18. Men scaling fish next to Kayangel dock....................................................... 51 19. Woman preparing large yellow taro.............................................................. 51 20. Double outboard engines make travel from Koror to the Northern Reefs faster and safer..............................................................................................
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