When Angelo Villagomez began working in ocean conservation in the late 2000s, it was not an inclusive field for him. “My Indigenous identity was not necessarily welcomed,” says the Micronesian conservationist and marine policy expert. “I would have short hair, and I would dress in a tie and … try not to bring the Indigenous perspectives.” Today, he is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC, focusing on Indigenous-led conservation.
In recent years, a growing number of academics, coastal communities and advocates have been pushing for ocean governance and protection to focus more on inclusivity, justice and fairness. And for the relevant authorities to listen to and respect voices beyond the people in western-style.
