The Aitutaki community has re-established a traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban, in their lagoon to protect marine life and ensure sustainable resource management, with support from the National Environment Service.

Following the examples of their forefathers in practicing sustainable fishing, limiting waste and teaching their children the value of conservation, a ra’ui was placed on the Aitutaki lagoon this week to protect the marine life and natural resources.

Aitutaki mayor Nick Henry says the lagoon is more than a source of beauty, “it is a source of life”.

“It sustains us, feeds us, and connects us to our past. The fish, the coral, and every living creature within these waters are part of a divine design, placed here for our nourishment and survival,” Henry said.

“It is our duty to ensure this sacred balance remains intact for generations to come.”

Halatoa Fua, the director for the National Environment Service (NES), also attended the event on Tuesday.

Henry said NES would be providing them with new markers to clearly identify the borders of each ra’ui.

“In addition, they (NES) will be key supporters in assisting us with updating and completing the Aitutaki lagoon management plan,” the mayor said.

“This includes licencing all commercial operators on our lagoon to ensure safety for our visitors and all users and to work towards improving the health of Aitutaki lagoon.

“Climate Change Cook Islands is assisting the Island governments by providing funds for coral gardens and permanent moorings (to reduce anchor damage to corals) for each ‘licenced’ lagoon operator.”

NES director Fua said the ra’ui ceremony in Aitutaki marked the importance of ra’ui as a traditional practice to conserve and manage resources sustainably.

“The Aitutaki Mayor and Island Council should be congratulated for this initiative to celebrate and revive this cultural practice and local knowledge systems,” Fua said.

“It was great to see the Aitutaki community mobilised for this ceremony, as more plans will take in the coming years to strengthen the ra’ui marking, monitoring and public awareness and education.”

NES looked forward to working with the island of Aitutaki, and all islands, in any way that they could support the ra’ui management. Fua added.

“NES has included a provision in its new bill to facilitate any support mechanism towards its establishment and management.”