An Al Jezeera documentary caught my eye. Traditional fishing methods in Kerkennahs, (Tunisa) are said to date back to Phoenician times and are even listed as a world cultural heritage.
But what struck me was the principles it is founded on, many being the same as proposed in the Opotiki Community REAF building program, and also suggestive of new areas that could be explored.
'It is customary to install and operate the charfia only between the autumn equinox and June to ensure the marine wildlife have a biological rest period. The charfias are rebuilt each year, accompanied by social practices such as sharing a meal or rogatory prayers. The practice of charfia fishing requires extensive knowledge of underwater topography and marine currents. Many of the inhabitants of Kerkennah learn to fish from an early age and it is also common for a râїs to leave his fishery to his eldest son to perpetuate ownership. Vocational training centres also provide indirect training. Charfia fishing is the main fishing technique used in the Kerkennah Islands. The entire local community participates in the different phases of the process in varying degrees, from installing the charfia and the accompanying rituals to raising the traps, making this a unifying element for all Kerkennians.
REAF building is proposed as a continuous process, with desired annual renewal of enhancing materials deployed by fishermen.
The integration of science in the study and mapping of seabed topography and knowledge of sea currents.
We have family ( Maori : Whanau) 'sea plots' charted within the Community REAF area. These can be passed onto others.
Certainly we see it as essential to teach our younger generations how to fish and to fish sustainably.
Managing an ongoing community reef area should follow current Ministry of Fishing Recreational rules but additional 'spelling' (Maori: rahui) of species or of the entire area could well be part of future reef management.
A youth (Maori: rangatahi) training center could study the ways of traditional fishing and build materials to add into the reef area for the benefit of the community. And certainly building the spiritual connection through prayer, music, haka, and art with marine life is promoted as an essential component for sustainability.
As to community unity? Reef deployments and fishing close to a new harbour entrance is a popular undertaking with the Opotiki Community, especially with the price of petrol going up daily.
So really a Community Reef is nothing new.
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