With a deep commitment to indigenous knowledge and ocean conservation, Salanieta Kotolelei has completed the requirements for her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at The University of the South Pacific (USP) with groundbreaking research on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Her thesis titled “Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) as an Indicator for Recovering Keystone Species,” draws on the wisdom of 18 Fijian communities, documenting vital fishing practices, local languages, and intergenerational exchanges to safeguard this cultural and ecological heritage for future generations. The study promotes the use of local languages and intergenerational knowledge exchange to ensure this vital information is not lost. Her academic path began at USP with the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), attaining a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching. She further enhanced her scientific background with a Master’s in Fisheries Sciences from Kagoshima University in Japan. In 2023, she was a recipient of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Scholarship, undertaking her Doctrate with SAGEONS. “This journey started for me at a very young age with stories from my elders, grandparents, and parents,” she said. “With my background in environmental studies, I saw an opportunity to use what I learned at USP to do something meaningful for my people and to create a guiding light to help future generations maneuver through the challenges we face today.” While presenting at her PhD thesis oral defence last week, Kotolelei highlighted that family support was a crucial part of her academic journey. “Growing up in Rewa with my two brothers and two sisters, our extended family provided a strong support system. After getting married and having three children, my husband, who is also a lecturer at USP, and my family were incredibly supportive,” she added. “They understood the importance of my work and saw that it was a field where I was not only thriving but also able to share my knowledge with others. This unwavering support was a key factor in my success.” She believes such research would be crucial for local government bodies like the Bose Levu Vakaturaga. “As local knowledge holders and the people who govern the resources, they need to be aware of the knowledge that people have and how to govern those resources,” she added. “We protect the environment and the environment will protect us that’s the way we survive in the Pacific.” As her work continues, she hopes this will be a valuable roadmap for community-led fisheries management, demonstrating a synergy between traditional and scientific understanding. “My plan is to engage with various communities to document and raise awareness about the crucial role of indigenous knowledge in establishing an environmental baseline for Fiji,” she said. “Our elders consistently impart their knowledge, sharing information that is fundamental for survival and important societal values. Therefore, instilling respect for elders and the capacity to listen are essential values that must be cultivated in the younger generation.” Her work at USP included roles as a research assistant and lecturer. She is set to graduate with her PhD under the Centre of Sustainable Futures (CSF) next month.