ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the perspectives on Indigenous Knowledge in the context of global marine governance. Indigenous Knowledge is important to environmental concerns, such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution and loss of biodiversity. These knowledge systems align well to address today’s environmental concerns because they are capable of interpreting ecological patterns in dynamic environments. Indigenous Knowledge in marine context is central to Indigenous Peoples’ relationships to their coastal lands and oceans through activities such as fishing, navigating, subsistence and trade. The chapter looks at Indigenous resurgence, or movements for reestablishing the autonomy of Indigenous nations and discusses the political nature of Indigenous Knowledge in the context of contested coastal lands and resources. It argues that Indigenous Peoples and knowledge-holders must be at the center of Indigenous Knowledge applied to local and/or international oceans governance.
