Reciprocity

2026 Contest Resources > How the Ocean Sustains Us > Reciprocity 

While the ocean sustains us, it also relies on us to sustain and protect it in return. Reciprocity, a concept deeply rooted in the worldviews of many Indigenous cultures worldwide, emphasizes a balanced, respectful relationship between humans and the natural world. Through this view, accepting the ocean’s sustenance is not a one-way transaction but an obligatory action that comes with giving back, whether through acts of stewardship or restraint in regards to resource use.