By Caroline Zuba
When discussing sustainability, indigenous communities are a top priority.
Tourists tend to be indiscriminate in their vacation choices. Palau, for example, is an archipelago of 700 islands heavily reliant on tourism. Yet, a recent study has taken note of the effects of tourists consuming the fish that they have been gawking at on their trips. According to the study, tourism on the islands surpasses the local populations by around nine times.
This presents a massive problem when many indigenous communities, including those in Palau, rely mainly on coastal fish populations. Not only is fishing a food source, it is also one of their links to the culture that defines them. In fact, it is a maintenance of an identity, and the depopulation of fish in the area endangers lives and cultures. Food security is thus at the forefront of discussions regarding Indigenous rights, and tourism is increasing the vulnerability of these groups by increasing changes in the ecosystem.
The study found a potential solution: The health of the reefs can be sustained by shifting to consuming open water fish, including sustainably-harvested tuna. The notion of sustainable tourism is addressed, and the article mentions that this sort of tourism should also include protecting the food of the local people.
