Pathways to integrate Indigenous and local knowledge in ocean governance processes: Lessons from the Algoa Bay Project, South Africa

Abstract

The Introduction of this paper argues that current coastal and ocean management approaches like marine spatial planning (MSP) often do not adequately acknowledge and integrate Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). This is problematic because how humans value and perceive coastal and marine resources is integrally linked to how they use and manage these resources, especially in adapting to social-ecological change. Coastal and marine resources are situated within complex social-ecological systems that are culturally, economically, historically and politically embedded. Therefore, management approaches have to integrate transdisciplinary and contextual perspectives in order to be relevant, sustainable and adaptive. Following extensive research in Algoa Bay, South Africa this article highlights several pathways to bridge the gap between existing ILK and current coastal and ocean management approaches. The Methods section discusses how the authors worked in tandem with a bottom-up (engaging with Indigenous and local coastal and marine resource users) and top-down (engaging with coastal governance authorities and practitioners) approach. In order to answer the primary research question “How can ILK be integrated into area-based ocean management like MSP”? the authors employed arts-based participatory methods as well as in-depth interviews and workshops with coastal governance authorities and practitioners over several months. This work then culminated in a one-day multi-stakeholder workshop which brought both ILK holders and coastal authorities and practitioners together to collaboratively identify pathways to integrate this knowledge into coastal and ocean management. In the Results and Discussion section the authors present and discuss five co-identified pathways to integrate ILK in coastal and ocean management which include: adopting contextual approaches to coastal and ocean management; increasing transparency and two-way communication between coastal authorities and users; increasing access to relevant and useable information; reviewing and amending relevant MSP legislation towards a stronger connection between MSP and Indigenous knowledge legislation; as well as amending legislation pertaining to access to coastal and marine areas. In the Conclusion it is argued that ILK coastal communities want to be meaningfully included in how their coastline and ocean resources are managed and also seek increased access to coastal areas. By highlighting pathways to include ILK and the knowledge holders themselves, this paper seeks to contribute to improved protection and sustainable management of marine resource use.

Reflections on the past, present, and potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research

“…The value of Indigenous and local knowledges, including the context, values, and cosmological context within which that knowledge sits (Brosius, 2006), is increasingly recognised as essential for the sustainable management of social-ecological systems. However, there are concerns that in many cases knowledge integration can form a box-ticking exercise and perpetuate historic trends of marginalisation (Wohling, 2009;Green, 2012;Rivers et al, 2023). Research methods often do not involve knowledge holders in research design or analysis and are rarely considered as researchers pursuing their own research questions informed by their own world views (Chilisa, 2017).…”

The complexity of evaluating, categorising and quantifying marine cultural heritage

“…From conversations with marine and coastal managers and policymakers in South Africa, the authors acknowledge the need for quantifiable cultural heritage and connections in order to protect and manage cultural heritage. As one coastal manager said, "if it is not in a map or an Excel spreadsheet, it doesn't exist" (see [32]). The need and want to simplify marine cultural dimensions are understandable as this makes them easier to categorise, evaluate and manage.…”

Abanfan matilon, a local wisdom in marine ethnoconservation system on the coast of Liki Island, Sarmi District, Papua, Indonesia

“…Environmental wisdom is a form of local wisdom existing in the social life of a particular region. It is an ancestral heritage in life values that are integrated into the form of religion, culture, and customs (Ban et al 2017;Dharmawibawa 2019;Mulalap et al 2020;Bloch 2021;Kadir et al 2022;Rivers et al 2023). Narratively, the local community consists of groups inhabiting a specific area, while indigenous people comprise individuals who have lived in an area for generations, possessing socio-cultural ties with their environment (Görg et al 2014;Ban et al 2017;Kelly et al 2020;Ogar et al 2020).…”