Beyond Borders and States: Modelling Ocean Connectivity According to Indigenous Cosmovisions

Authors

  • Endalew Lijalem Enyew UiT The Arctic University of Norway
  • Margherita Paola Poto UiT The Arctic University of Norway
  • Apostolos Tsiouvalas UiT The Arctic University of Norway
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23865/arctic.v12.3290

Abstract

The article describes some common features of Indigenous sea cosmovisions (through examples from Oceania and the Arctic region), from which an understanding of ocean governance rooted in the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of protecting water and people emerges. Hence, the model of ocean (or water) connectivity is characterized by the understanding of ocean-human relationships as a continuum of connections between human and non-human elements. In line with the normative recognition of the sacredness of water, the interconnectedness of all life, and the importance of protecting the sea, Indigenous peoples’ law provides insights and implementation solutions for the restoration of marine ecosystems. This study aims to identify blind spots of the current law-of-the-sea regime, where marine ecological connectivity is not fully recognized as a foundational pillar of effective ocean protection. It also suggests approaches towards knowledge integration mechanisms that could minimize critical issues in ocean governance by enabling the enshrinement of Indigenous nature-oriented approaches within the law of the sea regulatory framework (especially focusing on the high seas’ regime). The work is structured into three main parts: a comprehensive overview of connectivity conceptualizations drawn from Indigenous cosmovisions; reflections on the model’s capability to address law-of-the-sea’s systemic challenges; and concluding reflections on possible future trajectories in law-of-the-sea that could encompass elements of the analyzed model.

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Author Biographies

Endalew Lijalem Enyew, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

The Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea

Margherita Paola Poto, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Faculty of Law

Apostolos Tsiouvalas, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

The Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea

Published

2021-11-23

How to Cite

Enyew, E. L., Poto, M. P., & Tsiouvalas, A. (2021). Beyond Borders and States: Modelling Ocean Connectivity According to Indigenous Cosmovisions. Arctic Review on Law and Politics, 12, 207–221. https://doi.org/10.23865/arctic.v12.3290

Issue

Section

Original Articles

Categories

Keywords:

ocean connectivity, Oceania, Arctic, marine Indigenous approaches, holistic stewardship, traditional knowledge, LOSC, BBNJ, land-sea interface