> Pacific whales/Wikimedia Commons
Whales and dolphins received the status of a legal entity. The corresponding agreement was concluded by the leaders of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Ocean from the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Tonga.
According to the vice president of the conservation organization Conservation International Aotearoa Mere Takoko, the agreement “Maori Ocean Declaration ” should contribute to the protection and survival of these animals as a national treasure and a legendary ancestor of the indigenous Maori people. The Conversation writes about it.
From now on, the countries of the Pacific region will be able to apply criminal penalties to violators. Also, granting legal status can help to implement alternative shipping routes, reduce the speed of ships and generally prevent other human actions that lead to animal mortality.
It is not yet known exactly how this protection will work and what potential penalties await whale abusers, as this treaty alone will not stop illegal or harmful activities against cetaceans (whales and dolphins).
But since Maori tikanga (Maori customary law ) is gaining more weight in Aotearoa's common law system, this treaty could mark a change in Pacific environmental policy.
A wonderful and humbling week spent in the company of the Maori King and the chiefs of the Cook Islands and Tahiti , who signed the He Whakaputanga Moana declaration to give the status of a legal entity to our ancestors – the Tohori (Chinese), writes Takoko.
The publication notes that the agreement may be criticized by Western institutions that have historically resisted environmental rights. And some organizations may argue that it is economically punitive or unenforceable.
It is also unclear how effective these changes will be for all Indigenous groups and communities, as some of them whaling is both an important cultural practice, a ritual activity, and a source of livelihood.
Pacific dolphins
Calls to grant such status to whales were first voiced by the king of the Maori indigenous people in New Zealand, Tuhei Fertia Potatau Teofero VII in March. He stated that marine mammals should receive inalienable human rights, such as the right to a healthy environment, which would allow their populations to recover.