Are villages becoming more democratic, and is that good or bad for fisheries? It’s important to know how local governance works, which can vary from village to village, in order to ensure the success of marine protection projects. In some instances, women, who do much of the fishing, now have more of a voice. But it also means not everyone respects village law. There is a doubled-edged sword to ‘modernizing’ a Pacific island, and this piece should explain both sides.
Estimated Word Count: 2000-3000 words
Pitched To: Smithsonian, Aeon, or Nautilus Magazine. If not accepted, then this will be published on Mongabay.