VIDEOS
Laone Lamalana: A Traditional Marine Protected Area
(2025)
Facing declining fish stocks and increasing pressure on marine resources, the community of Laone village declared their reef tabu, a no-take Marine Protected Area. Through traditional ceremonies led by chiefs, the sea was closed, marked with namele leaves and stones, and the community came together to protect their reef through kastom.
Since the protection began in 2020, fish and marine life have returned in abundance, with a Fisheries study showing an increase in fish count from 600 to 14,000 in just four years.
The film features voices from the Laone community, including Majorie Tari, Charles Vatu, Chief Joseph Rihu, as well as the President of the Malvatumauri, who reflect on the reef’s recovery and the importance of community-led marine protection.
Laone Lamalama is a living example of a successful, locally-led traditional Marine Protected Area, showing how Vanuatu’s kastom continues to protect the ocean and sustain communities for future generations.
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Consultations with communities and key stakeholders on sustainable ocean management are coming soon.
Protecting Vanuatu's Ocean (2024)
In Vanuatu, the ocean is a way of life. That’s why we are celebrating Vanuatu’s commitment to ocean conservation.
The health of the ocean is essential to the people of Vanuatu, who rely on the sea for their livelihoods and culture.
This video highlights the importance of marine protection in Vanuatu and demonstrates how communities and governments can work together to safeguard Vanuatu’s ocean for generations to come.
Vanautu Ocean Champion | Charles Vatu (2025)
Charles Vatu, Chairman of the Ward Council in Laone, Pentecost, Vanuatu, shares the importance of sustainably managing their coastal waters.
Five years after establishing the Laone traditional Tabu Marine Protected Area (MPA), the community continues to see lasting benefits. Tabu areas are designated by local communities and are typically governed by customary rules that prohibit certain activities like hunting, fishing, or logging to help preserve biodiversity, protect sensitive habitats, and allow fish populations to thrive.
Thanks to the MPA, they are able to fish daily around its borders to feed their village while preserving marine life for future generations.
Blue Prosperity Vanuatu (BPV) is proud to support this effort. BPV is a government-led initiative to strengthen sustainable ocean management and support a healthy ocean, thriving communities, and a brighter future for the people of Vanuatu. The program will support the National Ocean Policy, 100% sustainable ocean management, and full protection of 30% of Vanuatu’s marine waters.
Science and Traditional Governance | Toney Tevi (2025)
“Sometimes we forget that traditional designs are very useful.”
Toney Tevi, Head of Maritime and Ocean Affairs Division in Vanuatu, shared his thoughts on the importance of traditional governance in ocean management.
Both science and traditional knowledge are essential to building a Marine Spatial Plan that considers and preserves the cultural values, economic impacts, natural habitats, and livelihoods around marine spaces.
He reminds us that “traditional governance has a root to the system.”
Traditional governance existed long before any form of modern governance. Today, our challenges are mostly created by modernization.