Have You Ever Heard of a Fish Bank? | Our Planet Earth | BBC Earth

Summary

The Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary, a haven for marine life and its community, faced a severe decline in fish stocks in the late 1900s due to overfishing. The community implemented the tengefu system, banning fishing to allow for rehabilitation, which saw a 400% increase in fish biomass in the first decade. Despite climate change challenges like ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures, the sanctuary's protection is crucial for sustaining marine life and ensuring the community's livelihood. Ledama Masidza embodies the spirit of ubuntu, advocating for a collaborative and caring approach to preserve the environment and secure a bright future.

Takeaways

• 🏖️ Ledama Masidza expresses deep affection for Kuruwitu, highlighting its importance to her and the marine life it supports.
• 🐟 The Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary is a source of happiness for Ledama, who finds joy in swimming and appreciating the underwater life.
• 🌊 The community of Kuruwitu has demonstrated resilience in the face of environmental challenges, particularly the decline in fish stock in the late 1900s.
• 🚫 'No fish, no village' reflects the community's reliance on fish for their livelihoods, which was threatened by overfishing.
• 🔄 In response to the decline in fish stock, the community implemented the tengefu system, a traditional resource management approach.
• 🚫 Fishing has been banned within the Kuruwitu Conservancy since 2003 to protect and replenish fish stocks and restore corals.
• 📈 The biomass of fish in the protected area increased by 400% in the first 10 years, showcasing the success of the conservation efforts.
• 🐠 The sanctuary acts as a 'fish bank', allowing fish to grow to capacity and then spill over into surrounding areas, benefiting other fishing grounds.
• 🌡️ Climate change, including ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures, poses new threats to the marine ecosystem of Kuruwitu.
• 🌐 The El Niño climate cycle, known for its global impact, could exacerbate the pressures on Kuruwitu's marine life, as experienced in the 2016 event.
• 🌳 Protected areas like the Kuruwitu Conservancy are crucial for providing sheltered grounds for juvenile fish and restoring coral reefs, which are vital for marine biodiversity.
• 🔑 The decision to stop fishing in the conservancy may have short-term costs, but it is a long-term investment in the community's livelihoods and the health of the planet.
• 🤝 Ledama hopes for a future based on ubuntu, a philosophy of caring for others and embracing interconnectedness, as a way to collaboratively address global environmental challenges.

Q & A

What does Ledama Masidza consider Kuruwitu to be for her?

Ledama Masidza considers Kuruwitu to be a home not only to her but also to the life in the water, which she loves the most, and swimming in the Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary brings her happiness.

How did the community of Kuruwitu respond to the decline in fish stock in the late 1900s?

The community of Kuruwitu came together to find a solution to the decline in fish stock, which affected livelihoods, food insecurity, household income, and future generations.

What is the tengefu system mentioned in the script?

The tengefu system is a traditional form of resource management where the community decides to allocate a portion of their marinescape and fishery for rehabilitation to bounce back and support the livelihoods.

What measures were taken to protect and replenish fish stocks in the Kuruwitu Conservancy?

Fishing has been completely banned within the Kuruwitu Conservancy since its establishment in 2003, and efforts have been made to restore corals within the lagoon.

What was the impact of the protection measures on the fish biomass in the first 10 years?

In the first 10 years after the establishment of the conservancy, the biomass of fish inside the protected area increased by 400%.

How does Ledama describe the Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary in terms of its function for fish?

Ledama describes the Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary as a 'fish bank' that allows the density of fish to grow to its capacity, and then the fish spill over into surrounding areas, providing fish to other fishing grounds.

What are the new pressures that the fish in Kuruwitu are facing beyond the control of the community?

The fish in Kuruwitu are facing pressures such as ocean acidification impacting coral reefs, an increase in sea temperature, and changes in ecosystem conditions due to climate change.

What is the significance of the El Niño climate cycle for Kuruwitu and the surrounding areas?

The El Niño climate cycle can amplify the pressures already being felt in Kuruwitu and beyond by impacting ocean temperatures, currents, and local weather from Australia to South America.

How does the script suggest that protected areas like the Kuruwitu Conservancy are important for marine life?

Protected areas like the Kuruwitu Conservancy are important as they can create sheltered nursery grounds for juvenile fish, spread out to populate surrounding waters, and restoring corals provides a vital lifeline for marine species that rely on reefs.

What is the short-term cost and long-term benefit for the local community in the decision to stop fishing in Kuruwitu Conservancy?

The short-term cost is the immediate impact on the local community's livelihoods, while the long-term benefit is securing their livelihoods for the future in the face of the planet's changing climate.

What is the concept of ubuntu as mentioned by Ledama, and how does it relate to the future of the planet?

Ubuntu is a concept important to Ledama's upbringing, which means care for others and embracing interconnectedness in a shared future. It suggests that a more collaborative, caring, and kind approach to the ocean and each other can lead to a beautiful world.