Coastal people dispute offshore oil exploration: toward a study of embedded seascapes, submersible knowledge, sacrifice, and marine justice

ABSTRACT

To advance marine and coastal sociologies, this paper presents how Aotearoa New Zealand, an island nation without a history, culture, or reputation of deepwater oil production, responded to offshore exploration. Using a case study approach and qualitative data collection methods, this study finds that the culture and knowledge of coastal communities challenge the political economy of oil extraction. To the literature on coastal cultures, this study identifies how some coastal communities reside in embedded seascapes with the marine environment. For them, the sea informs, gives meaning, and orientates their identity, sense of place, and politics. To the literature on marine literacy, this study contributes how some communities may possess submersible knowledge of the marine environment without ever having walked its seafloor. This knowledge is developed and fortified through traditional stories, practical experience, lay ecological study, and scientific research. To the political economy of the ocean, this study suggests that maritime zones are designated for sacrifice and privilege, or a hybrid of the two. From these findings, this paper outlines a framework for marine justice as a paradigm and potential movement, even though its achievement may not be realized.

KEYWORDS:

• Aotearoa New Zealand
• coastal communities
• marine justice
• marine sociology
• offshore oil exploration

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the anonymous reviewers who provided direction and extremely helpful feedback, and to thank Jennifer Darrah and attendees at the Hawaii Sociological Association conference in February 2017, who offered insightful advice on an early draft.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patricia Widener

Patricia Widener is Associate Professor of sociology at Florida Atlantic University and author of Oil Injustice: Resisting and Conceding a Pipeline in Ecuador. Her primary research interest is examining how environmental and community groups respond to the political economy of oil.