Melesila comes from Ha’atafu, a village on the western side of Tonga’s main island, where fishing is the lifeblood of the community. For years, they’ve carefully managed their fishing areas—one fully protected, the other open to fishing. But everything changed after a devastating tsunami destroyed much of their efforts, leaving their resources more threatened than ever.
As the community slowly recovers, Melesila is helping lead the charge toward more sustainable fishing practices to ensure families can still provide for themselves while protecting the environment. From developing alternative livelihoods like handicrafts and women in agriculture, to learning from past experiences, Melesila is proud to be part of the Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) program.
Watch her inspiring testimony about resilience and rebuilding, and learn how CBFM is helping her community recover and thrive.
We also want to hear your story! Whether you’re a fisher, a community member, or someone passionate about conservation, come share your experiences with the rest of the Pacific.
