'Protecting Our Ocean Through Culture'

By intern: Chelsy Reyes

08/07/2025 - This summer, I had the opportunity to take part in the DCRM summer internship program, where I was placed with Talaya Club under the mentorship of David Cabrera. Talaya Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving traditional fishing practices and promoting marine conservation. Talaya Club offers opportunities to learn about the traditional fishing practices that have long sustained our islands.

 One notable program is “Fishing as a Family,” four month initiative, designed to guide members regardless of experience toward becoming responsible and proficient talåyerus and talåyeras. Although I have yet to host a clinic or master the art of throwing a talåya net, I am eager to continue planning and preparing for the clinics. 

As part of my journey with Talaya Club, I had the chance to attend meetings with local community members, lead the planning and coordination of public events, and contribute to the development of educational materials and outreach aimed at inspiring community involvement and encouraging others to join. Being a member marked the beginning of my journey in environmental work and sparked a passion to deepen my knowledge of cultural sustainability.

 Talåya fishing has always been a part of our Indigenous peoples’ history. It allowed our ancestors to catch food in a way that respected the ocean’s limits, keeping fish populations healthy and the ecosystem balanced. However, many Pacific islands face overfishing problems, largely because sustainable fishing knowledge has been lost or overlooked.

A 2019 article by Heather Sagar, entitled NOAA Fisheries and National Ocean Service “Guidance and Best Practices for Engaging and Incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Decision-Making” highlights the importance of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into resource management. NOAA recognizes that TEK, built over generations, is vital for understanding and adapting to environmental changes. Sagar notes that Native Hawaiians, Chamorros, and other Indigenous communities possess a rich body of knowledge, shaped through generations of deep connection and interaction with their natural environments. TEK helps ensure management strategies are culturally respectful, community informed, and better suited to our island ecosystems (Sagar, 2019). 

Following my internship, I see myself continuing my education in Indigenous knowledge and its vital role in resource management. I will continue taking bold steps to gain experience and expand my understanding of environmental science in college. For me, this is not an end but the beginning of a lifelong path in my career.

Sagar, Heather. Guidance and Best Practices for Engaging and Incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Decision-Making. NOAA Fisheries and National Ocean Service, 2019.