Sea Tenure and Its Transformation in the Lau of North Malaita, Solomon Island

The sea tenure system of the Lau was investigated. The Lau are a fishing people who dwell on artificial islands off the northeast coast of Malaita Island of the Solomon Islands. In terms of Lau sea tenure and ownership of fishing grounds was our focus. The sea is divided into owned and free areas; the former are inherited by patrilineal descent groups, and have higher resource potentials than the latter. The function of the Lau marine reserve serves social and cultural goals, as well as maintains an ecologically sustainable use of the marine resources. The owned areas are usually closed, and lifting of the restriction is declared for only a few days or so per annum. It is however extended to months in such cases as funeral rites. This strict regulation not only ensures a large catch, but also implements economic and social exchange between the Lau, the fish provider, and the agriculturalists of Malaita, the supplier of starchy food and shell money. The recent introduction of the commercial fishing of sea cucumber, reef fish, and demersal fish in offshore waters may give rise to overexploitation of resources, social conflict and transformation of the Lau sea tenure practices