USING ART AS A TOOL TO MOBILIZE SUPPORT FOR DUGONG CONSERVATION IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a cultural keystone species in many parts of the Solomon Islands. Dugongs feature prominently in oral history and kastom. Various people trace their ancestry to the marine mammal, and therefore... [ view full abstract ]

The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a cultural keystone species in many parts of the Solomon Islands. Dugongs feature prominently in oral history and kastom. Various people trace their ancestry to the marine mammal, and therefore refrain from killing and eating the species. Clearly, these cultural values and taboos have not been sufficient to conserve dugongs in a rapidly changing society: hunting and by-catch has depleted dugong populations throughout the archipelago. Nevertheless, it is essential to embed conservation action in local realities, knowledge and values. We used artwork to revive cultural values and mobilize broad public support for dugong conservation in Lau Lagoon on Malaita. Such a biocultural approach has the potential to strengthen community-based natural resource management and conserve an iconic species.