In celebration of our Wetlands and their role for our planet and its people, we feature the voice of young Pacific Woman Ms Moana Tiua of Kiribati, sharing her story about her experiences in conserving a wetland site in our Pacific Islands region.
Ms Moana Tiua, the Biodiversity and Conservation Officer of the Ministry of Environment, Land, Agriculture and Development of Kiribati has worked on the Beru Swamp area in Kiribati, an ecosystem that communities have depended on for many generations.
We learn about the Beru Swamp through her eyes, and her experience.
Happy World Wetlands Day!
“Te Nei n Tabuariki: Beru Swamp, a Wetland of Culture, Survival, and Heritage
The Beru Swamp, locally known as Te Nei n Tabuariki, is one of Kiribati’s most significant wetlands, valued not only for its ecological role but also as a repository of the people of Beru’s cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. For generations, this wetland has been central to the survival, identity, and resilience of the local community. Unlike many wetlands appreciated primarily for biodiversity, Te Nei n Tabuariki is inseparable from the history, customs, and daily life of the people of Beru Island.
A Lifeline During Hardship
Beru, like other islands in Kiribati, has endured severe droughts, when freshwater and food become scarce, stretching traditional subsistence resources to their limits. During these periods, Te Nei n Tabuariki has served as a vital lifeline. The wetland harbours edible algae that is unique to Beru Island, a resource found nowhere else in the world. Historically, these algae provided essential nourishment when other food sources failed, allowing families to survive harsh conditions.
The people of Beru consider this algae a “drought food,” consumed only during severe scarcity. In normal times, it is rarely eaten and is traditionally offered to guests, reflecting the community’s values of generosity, respect, and careful resource management. This practice demonstrates a deep understanding of sustainability long before modern conservation frameworks. The algae are more than food; it is a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the community’s ability to endure and adapt to environmental challenges while honoring tradition. Locals also hold a strong belief that the algae cannot run out, reflecting its enduring presence and spiritual significance.
Cultural and Traditional Significance
Te Nei n Tabuariki is a living archive of Beru’s cultural heritage. Elders pass on the knowledge of seasonal cycles, sustainable harvesting methods, and the spiritual importance of the wetland. Children accompany their elders, learning not only how to harvest algae but also the values of patience, respect, and care for natural resources. Through oral instruction and hands-on experience, this knowledge and stewardship ethic is passed across generations.
The wetland is also a focal point for community gatherings. A key tradition, led by the Te Unimwane Community which is the council of elders, involves the collective growing of milkfish in the swamp pond. Families and community members nurture the milkfish together, allowing the fish to feed naturally on the edible algae over six months to a year. After this period, the community gathers at Te Nei n Tabuariki to harvest the milkfish. This practice strengthens social cohesion, provides a shared food resource, and demonstrates the interconnection between the algae and other traditional food practices. In this way, the algae sustains both human life directly during droughts and indirectly by supporting milkfish cultivation for communal harvests.
Beyond its practical uses, the wetland serves as a site of learning, storytelling, and cultural continuity. Elders recount histories of past droughts, teaching lessons on resilience and collective responsibility. Through these practices, Te Nei n Tabuariki acts as a teacher, embedding ecological understanding within the social and cultural fabric of Beru.
Climate Change Challenges
Today, Te Nei n Tabuariki faces a pressing threat from coastal erosion, driven by climate change. The advancing sea gradually damages vegetation along the wetland’s edges and threatens the swamp’s integrity. If erosion continues unchecked, the wetland could vanish entirely, along with the unique ecosystem, the edible algae, the milkfish cultivation practice, and the cultural traditions it supports.
Community members have observed shoreline retreat and loss of wetland areas over recent years. Elders express concern that without protective measures, future generations may lose access to the algae, and broader cultural heritage tied to Te Nei n Tabuariki. Protecting the wetland now requires urgent action to mitigate coastal erosion and ensure the swamp’s long-term survival.
Community Engagement
Locals have shared how Te Nei n Tabuariki sustains their livelihoods, shapes traditions, and strengthens communal ties. These consultations emphasized that the wetland’s value extends beyond biodiversity; it embodies centuries of experience, adaptation, and cultural wisdom.
Community involvement ensures that conservation strategies respect local knowledge and practices. This inclusive approach strengthens both ecological outcomes and cultural continuity, fostering community ownership and stewardship.
A Symbol of Resilience and Heritage
Te Nei n Tabuariki is a living symbol of resilience. It illustrates how communities adapt to environmental challenges while preserving cultural identity. The swamp teaches lessons about living in harmony with nature, valuing resources, and respecting ancestral knowledge.
During droughts, the algae sustains life; in normal times, the wetland nurtures cultural practices, educates young people, and maintains connections to ancestral wisdom. Its uniqueness to Beru Island, the belief that the algae cannot run out, and its role in supporting milkfish cultivation underscore the wetland’s irreplaceable value, demonstrating the deep link between ecology, food security, and cultural heritage.
Our wetland
The story of Te Nei n Tabuariki demonstrates that wetlands are more than ecosystems—they are vessels of culture, tradition, and resilience. In Beru, the swamp has nourished bodies during droughts, educated minds through traditional knowledge, and maintained a living link to ancestral heritage. Its edible algae, unique to Beru and believed by locals never to run out, highlights its irreplaceable value, sustaining life and culture and supporting communal practices like milkfish cultivation.
The wetland now faces urgent threats from coastal erosion, which endanger both its ecological integrity and the cultural practices it supports. Protecting Te Nei n Tabuariki requires integrated action: safeguarding traditional knowledge, supporting sustainable practices, and mitigating the impacts of coastal erosion. Protecting the Beru Wetlands celebrates both its ecological and cultural significance, recognising that the health of the environment and vitality of local traditions are deeply intertwined.
Through careful stewardship, respect for traditional practices, and sustainable management of resources like the algae and milkfish, Te Nei n Tabuariki will continue to provide sustenance, heritage, and identity for generations to come, even in the face of climate change.
Let’s celebrate World Wetlands Day and the crucial role our Wetlands play in our Pacific region!” – Ms Moana Tiua