Description of the thesis topic

The aim of this thesis is to analyze - in an interdisciplinary way, drawing on the sciences of sustainability, human geography and socio-anthropology - how the temporary and/or cyclical arrangements for hybrid management of lagoon spaces and resources referred to as rāhui in French Polynesia reveal the negotiation processes between stakeholders through which the sometimes contradictory objectives of i) preserving lagoon habitats and resources, ii) safeguarding Polynesian lifestyles linked to lagoon fishing and iii) revaluing Polynesian culture and identity are articulated, of i) preserving lagoon habitats and resources, ii) safeguarding Polynesian lifestyles linked to lagoon fishing and iii) enhancing Polynesian culture and identity. Two key themes will help shed light on these dynamics and address the issue at hand. On the one hand, an analysis of the way in which Polynesian, administrative and scientific epistemologies think about and act on the seasonality and temporality of the abundance of fishery resources. On the other hand, we will document the territorial dimensions underlying the implementation of rāhui and the way in which they reflect ecological concerns related to the marine environment, relationships to space - both material and immaterial - and conflicts of use for access to lagoon territories and resources. Lastly, by combining the social and ecological sciences, the aim is to develop an innovative methodology and to

Work Context

Over the past three decades, French Polynesia has seen a proliferation of decentralized management initiatives for lagoon spaces and resources that mobilize the customary notion of rāhui (temporary prohibition of resource harvesting on a given territory). Contemporary rāhui schemes attempt to articulate an ancient Polynesian notion with contemporary concerns for the management and preservation of marine resources. Two key features of these devices make them an original ethnoecological object of study. The temporary dimension of these systems - in contrast to the permanent nature of conventional systems for managing maritime spaces and resources - raises important questions in terms of ecological efficiency and the socio-economic rhythms of fish production systems. The diversity of the intended purposes of these systems (to enhance Ma'ohi cultural heritage, preserve resources and maintain small-scale artisanal fisheries) means that we need to understand and document both the ecological and socio-cultural dynamics of these systems.

Constraints and risks

Working conditions (hours of work, working hours, on-call duty, special hardship, travel, protective equipment required, sites, authorizations required, etc.)? Full time. The candidate will be based at CRIOBE - UAR 3278 in Moorea, French Polynesia. He/she will carry out survey and ethnographic work on several islands in French Polynesia. The candidate may be required to carry out fieldwork under testing conditions (sea outings with fishermen in sometimes difficult conditions). Position context (specificities of the structure/laboratory having an impact on the position or on several sites) ? Doctoral work falls within the scope of CRIOBE axis 4 “Management of socio-ecological systems”. The work will be co-supervised by Tamatoa BAMBRIDGE and Jean WENCÉLIUS. The PhD student will be involved in an international and interdisciplinary project (TEMPO).