3. Stewardship

By conducting research in French Polynesia, we are committing to care for its natural resources responsibly and for those who rely on them for generations to come

The reefs and other natural environments on the islands in which we work are both culturally and economically important to the community. It is essential that we respect these natural resources, following the lead of community members who know the land best. Gump Station researchers, while knowledgeable, are often visitors to French Polynesia. As researchers, we have a responsibility to contribute and invest in the long-term conservation of the environments, habitats and resources that we study for the current and future generations of those who use them.

The local government and community are involved in the science around the island. This means there are required permits for scientific activities, and curated protections for specific species, locations, and resources. While this may have not been the case in past decades, respecting permitting regulations is an important step for current research endeavors to ensure the longevity of island resources and minimize the collateral to scientific pursuits (e.g. environmental damage and cultural friction). These permits are not here to create barriers for research, but rather guarantee that science in French Polynesian habitats are of importance and use to the local community first. Here you can find links to these permits on the Gump Station website and this user guide, find a list of protected species and spaces, and discover French Polynesian stewards with whom you can collaborate. Research in Moorea can have immediate impact on the scientific community in the form of great discoveries and publications. To commit to being stewards to the island, researchers have an obligation to assess the cost of science on the island and the community.

Some questions to take into consideration regarding stewardship:

1. Are you committed to investing in the long-term conservation of French Polynesian culture and environmental resources?

2. Are you intentional about your use of the natural environment and resources French Polynesia provides?

3. What are your obligations to the local community?

4. What are the short and long-term impacts of your scientific research?

Resources