For the people of Rapa Nui, the relationship with the ocean begins at birth. An ancestral tradition marks this connection by returning a child’s umbilical cord to the sea alongside a piece of coral, symbolizing a permanent bond between the community and the Pacific. Today, that relationship is being reinforced through a powerful combination of Indigenous stewardship and cutting-edge technology.
For generations, artisanal fishing has sustained the cultural and economic wellbeing of the island. However, increasing pressure from international industrial fleets led the community to spearhead protection efforts. In 2018, an Indigenous consultation process resulted in the creation of the Rapa Nui Multiple-Use Marine and Coastal Protected Area. The designation reserves these waters exclusively for traditional artisanal fishing, safeguarding practices that have existed for centuries.
Managing nearly 270,000 square miles of ocean requires more than traditional observation. Rapa Nui authorities now use Marine Manager, a specialized platform developed by Global Fishing Watch in partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. The technology enables protected-area managers to analyze human activity by tracking vessels via satellite. This data supports monitoring, control and surveillance by identifying fishing activity and evaluating compliance both within and near the protected zone.
By providing accessible and actionable data, Marine Manager supports evidence-based decision-making. In Rapa Nui, this technology does not replace traditional ecological knowledge; it complements it. The platform allows the community to monitor distant waters with precision, ensuring that modern threats do not compromise their ancestral way of life.
