Pacific Edens? Myths and Realities of Primitive Affluence

Denoon, Donald

doi:10.1017/chol9780521441957.004

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 120 publications

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“… 1 This figure for the whole of French Polynesia is given by Denoon (1997), based on McArthur’s (1967) estimates (McArthur does not offer a total figure for the group). …”

Section: Were Subsistence Fisheries Ecologically Limiting For Pre‐conmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, pre‐contact densities appear to have been lower than in most of Polynesia, which was settled between 3200 and 750 years ago (Kirch 2000). The reason for low pre‐contact population densities in Melanesia appears to be a combination of high infant mortality, particularly owing to persistent, endemic diseases (most importantly malaria: Bennett 1987, p. 9; Denoon 1997; Groube 1993; Kirch 2000, pp. 83–84), high maternal deaths in childbirth (Denoon 1997), chronic intertribal warfare (Keeley 1996; Knauft 1990) and the relatively low yield per hectare of swidden (slash and burn) agriculture (Kirch 1997).…”

Section: Were Subsistence Fisheries Ecologically Limiting For Pre‐conmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reason for low pre‐contact population densities in Melanesia appears to be a combination of high infant mortality, particularly owing to persistent, endemic diseases (most importantly malaria: Bennett 1987, p. 9; Denoon 1997; Groube 1993; Kirch 2000, pp. 83–84), high maternal deaths in childbirth (Denoon 1997), chronic intertribal warfare (Keeley 1996; Knauft 1990) and the relatively low yield per hectare of swidden (slash and burn) agriculture (Kirch 1997). In certain climatic conditions and locations, a more intensified agricultural system consisting of irrigated taro terraces could support higher productivity (and therefore population densities) than swidden farming.…”

Section: Were Subsistence Fisheries Ecologically Limiting For Pre‐conmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent evidence (Bayliss‐Smith et al. 2003; Denoon 1997; Sand et al. 2007; Spriggs 2007) suggests that Melanesian countries had much lower pre‐contact human population densities than some of the heavily populated islands of Polynesia and Micronesia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tenure and taboos: origins and implications for fisheries in the Pacific

et al. 2010

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We present demographic, social, historical and ecological data to challenge the generalization that traditional tenure and fishing taboos constitute cultural adaptations that evolved to prevent over‐harvesting of subsistence fisheries in the Pacific. In particular, we re‐examine the seminal and widely cited arguments of Johannes (Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 1978; 9, 349–364), which constructed tenure and taboos primarily as traditional fishery management tools for the entire Pacific region. While it is difficult to disprove Johannes’ logic for some sites, particularly in formerly densely populated parts of Polynesia and Micronesia, our review of data and literature for Melanesia indicate very different origins and functions for these institutions. Our study shows that human population densities in most of the Western Pacific prior to European colonial intrusions were too low to have generated sufficient fishing pressure to drive the evolution of a conservation ethic. Our review for Melanesia shows that customary marine tenure and fishing taboos are primarily designed to manage relationships between social groups, rather than to sustain food security from fisheries. We argue that proper recognition of the cultural role of tenure and taboos is critical to progressing marine resource management in Melanesia.

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“… 1 This figure for the whole of French Polynesia is given by Denoon (1997), based on McArthur’s (1967) estimates (McArthur does not offer a total figure for the group). …”

Section: Were Subsistence Fisheries Ecologically Limiting For Pre‐conmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Were Subsistence Fisheries Ecologically Limiting For Pre‐conmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Were Subsistence Fisheries Ecologically Limiting For Pre‐conmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tenure and taboos: origins and implications for fisheries in the Pacific

et al. 2010

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“…Isolated and ignored as some islands were, they were nonetheless vulnerable to exploitation. Achieving subsistence security was difficult; survival was ‘a significant achievement and affluence was both rare and precarious’ (Denoon, 1997: 118). Ecosystems were impoverished and fragile, extinctions occurred more frequently and environmental degradation was not uncommon (Nunn, 1991), with islands such as Rapanui (Easter Island) eventually becoming the locus of environmental morality tales.…”

Section: At Home In the Islandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pacific islands in the global economy: Paradoxes of migration and culture

Connell

2010

Singap J Trop Geogr

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Predictions for the future of small islands and island states are invariably pessimistic. Poverty has increased, free trade offers limited possibilities, governance is weak and urban biased, and aid dependence has not declined despite aid fatigue. Populations are contracting from outer islands. One outcome has been increasing migration and remittances, as safety valve and diversification strategy. Selective migration and limited return migration have contributed to skill drain. Yet migration has enabled peripheries to survive through improved welfare and investment, and sustained social structures. Formal development strategies, whether international or national, emphasize 'modernity', with culture to be abhorred and ignored; yet hybridity offers possibilities for more equitable sustainable development. A combination of migration, economic diversification and cultural hybridity provides alternative development trajectories.

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The Pacific Context

Price

2018

World Heritage Conservation in the Pacific

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Pacific Edens? Myths and Realities of Primitive Affluence

Cited by 20 publications

References 120 publications

Tenure and taboos: origins and implications for fisheries in the Pacific

Tenure and taboos: origins and implications for fisheries in the Pacific

Pacific islands in the global economy: Paradoxes of migration and culture

The Pacific Context

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