I grew up in Samoa, an island nation where the ocean was not only our backyard but she held many of our stories. Tales and bedtime songs that our elders would tell us about the lessons our ocean teaches us. Including this story I share with you now; 

Long ago, there was a man named Tasi who married a woman named Afega. They lived in the village of Vailoa Palauli on the island of Savai’i. 

Together they had eleven sons, all named Tui, and one daughter, their only girl, named Fatu. Because she was their only daughter, their parents cherished and favored Fatu above her brothers. This favoritism grew into deep jealousy in the hearts of the boys. One day, when they were alone with their sister, the brothers conspired against her and they cast Fatu into the deep sea. 

When their father realised that Fatu was missing, he searched desperately for her and extended his search all the way to the ends of Tuamasaga, crying out for his beloved daughter. 

At that moment, it was his sister’s children who came to the rescue. They searched the ocean and found Fatu alive, hidden beneath the waters. But instead of returning her directly to her parents, they concealed her in the sacred waters. For her own protection they hid her in the heart of the ocean. 

From this comes the Samoan proverb, “Ua to Fatu i le Moana”. Meaning the heart has been cast into the ocean. This saying carries the meaning: what is most precious may be concealed, yet it lives on, protected in the depths of the ocean.

This story has taught me that many gems and treasures are hidden in our ocean for a reason. Our ocean protects the hearts of our cultures, families and stories. Therefore we have a responsibility to protect our protector. For generations, my ancestors have celebrated the ocean, respecting both its life-giving power and its force.

Today, as threats accelerate and the ocean’s delicate balance is disrupted, I use my voice to protect it.

The Pacific is warming at twice the global average rate. Coral reefs, which support a quarter of all marine species and provide food and income for over 500 million people worldwide, are bleaching and dying. Storms and exceptionally high ‘king’ tides are becoming stronger and more frequent. This means that coastal communities are losing their homes, fisheries and futures. 

The ocean is our life support system, giving us the air we breathe, our food and livelihoods. It’s also our greatest ally in tackling the climate crisis, being the world’s largest carbon store and absorbing around 90% of excess heat. We can’t have a healthy planet and future without a healthy ocean.