--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Polynesians used to have a system…" description: "\"The Polynesians used to have a system where they proclaimed a fishing area as 'taboo.' If any fisherman was caught fishing in a taboo area, they would ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg" --- # The Polynesians used to have a system where they… ![“The Polynesians used to have a system where they proclaimed a fishing area as 'taboo.' If any fisherman was caught fishing in a taboo area, they would be killed. The Polynesians understood that the fish had to be given a chance to recover.” quote by Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg) > “The Polynesians used to have a system where they proclaimed a fishing area as 'taboo.' If any fisherman was caught fishing in a taboo area, they would be killed. The Polynesians understood that the fish had to be given a chance to recover.” [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Polynesian taboo fishing protected ecosystems by prohibiting harvest in designated zones, allowing fish populations to recover. **In simple terms:** Taboo zones let fish recover by stopping fishing. Key Takeaway Respect natural limits for sustainability. Themes environment conservation tradition Mood thoughtful serious Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - fishing industry - marine reserves - resource management Key Concepts sustainable harvesting community enforcement Questions to Reflect On - What modern practices mimic ancient taboos? - How can communities enforce sustainable rules? A Different Perspective Enforcement can be difficult in modern contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Fisherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fisherman/) [Fishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fishing/) [Given a chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given-a-chance/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) [Taboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taboo/) ## Related quotes > [I'm looking forward to go bald for a film but nothing has been offered to me yet. Given a chance I'd take a pair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshara-haasan/i-m-looking-forward-to-go-bald-for-a-film-but-nothing-has-been/) [Akshara Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshara-haasan/) > [The American people are doing their job today. They should be given a chance to show whether they wish to preserve the principles of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/the-american-people-are-doing-their-job-today-they-should-be-given-a/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [“Sometimes maybe you need an experience. The experience can be a person or it can be a drug. The experience opens a door that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvin-burgess/sometimes-maybe-you-need-an-experience-the-experience-can-be-a-person-2/) [melvin burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvin-burgess/) > [We all know in the deaf community, there are deaf actors, men and women who are highly, highly skilled, highly intuitive, highly intelligent, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-raci/we-all-know-in-the-deaf-community-there-are-deaf-actors-men-and-women/) [Paul Raci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-raci/) > [“Warner has collapsed in the corner. He's curled into himself, kness pulled up to his chest. arms wrapped around his legs, his head buried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/warner-has-collapsed-in-the-corner-he-s-curled-into-himself-kness/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [Given a chance I'm gonna be somebody, If for one dance I'm gonna be somebody, Open the door it's gonna make you love me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kings-of-leon/given-a-chance-i-m-gonna-be-somebody-if-for-one-dance-i-m-gonna-be/) [Kings Of Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kings-of-leon/) > [“More proof that Lynn is still meant to continue with the government programme occurred during the winter of 2000, when she was sitting at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-hersha/more-proof-that-lynn-is-still-meant-to-continue-with-the-government/) [Lynn Hersha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-hersha/) > [“Nothing won't change, until the choice is placed first. And until when choice is given a chance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/nothing-won-t-change-until-the-choice-is-placed-first-and-until-when/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [I'm really into sci-fi. The reason I'm an actor is because of 'Star Wars' - I saw that and I knew that's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-schroder/i-m-really-into-sci-fi-the-reason-i-m-an-actor-is-because-of-star/) [Ricky Schroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-schroder/) > [There are so many people, deaf or otherwise abled, who are so talented but overlooked or not given a chance to even get their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/there-are-so-many-people-deaf-or-otherwise-abled-who-are-so-talented/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [It is a hidden fear that somehow, if they are only given a chance, women will suddenly do as they have been done by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-figes/it-is-a-hidden-fear-that-somehow-if-they-are-only-given-a-chance/) [Eva Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-figes/) > [“I don't approve of women driving, mind you. And now they get to vote!" He grumbled to himself. "Remember that play we saw ("The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/i-don-t-approve-of-women-driving-mind-you-and-now-they-get-to-vote-he/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [I didnt and I dont have any hesitation in playing mother on screen. If given a chance, I can even play a father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tisca-chopra/i-didnt-and-i-dont-have-any-hesitation-in-playing-mother-on-screen-if/) [Tisca Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tisca-chopra/) > [Most people should be given a chance to compete in the Olympic Games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/most-people-should-be-given-a-chance-to-compete-in-the-olympic-games/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [If we are given a chance to go back to our youth, we won't go back, because we cannot give up our accumulated wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-we-are-given-a-chance-to-go-back-to-our-youth-we-won-t-go-back/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) ## More by Paul Watson > [Social change comes through people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/social-change-comes-through-people/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [Sea Shepherd is to terrorism what Groucho was to Marxism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/sea-shepherd-is-to-terrorism-what-groucho-was-to-marxism/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [You don't get anywhere unless you've had a little bit of a complicated life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/you-don-t-get-anywhere-unless-you-ve-had-a-little-bit-of-a/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [Here's the thing: Nobody gets extradited for a crime where nobody's been hurt, where no property's been damaged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/here-s-the-thing-nobody-gets-extradited-for-a-crime-where-nobody-s/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [The shark is the apex predator in the sea. Sharks have molded evolution for 450 million years. All fish species that are prey to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/the-shark-is-the-apex-predator-in-the-sea-sharks-have-molded/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [We are literally eating the oceans alive and there are simply not enough fish to continue to feed an ever expanding population of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/we-are-literally-eating-the-oceans-alive-and-there-are-simply-not/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [I want to stay in the ocean. I'm not going to be able to do that from some holding cell in Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/i-want-to-stay-in-the-ocean-i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-do-that-from/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [It is true that many of the Sea Shepherd crewmembers are inexperienced, but the fact is that these volunteers bring a passion to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/it-is-true-that-many-of-the-sea-shepherd-crewmembers-are/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [We have intelligent species on our planet that we are not even trying to communicate with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/we-have-intelligent-species-on-our-planet-that-we-are-not-even-trying/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [I don't think you really have to retire from what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/i-don-t-think-you-really-have-to-retire-from-what-you-do/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [If you want to know where you would have stood on slavery before the Civil War, don’t look at where you stand on slavery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/if-you-want-to-know-where-you-would-have-stood-on-slavery-before-the/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [People sometimes feel frustrated about what's going on in our oceans and environment, and 'Whale Wars' shows that ordinary people can take action and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/people-sometimes-feel-frustrated-about-what-s-going-on-in-our-oceans/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [The only language that the Japanese whaling industry understands is economics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/the-only-language-that-the-japanese-whaling-industry-understands-is/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [I'm not pessimistic about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/i-m-not-pessimistic-about-anything/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [I don't eat fish because there is no such thing as sustainable fishing in the world right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/i-don-t-eat-fish-because-there-is-no-such-thing-as-sustainable/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) [Explore all 203 Paul Watson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) ## More Caught quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [Hollywood is very much an industry town. Your life becomes caught up in all of the parties and this list and that list. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-johnson/hollywood-is-very-much-an-industry-town-your-life-becomes-caught-up/) [Don Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-johnson/) > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. I never wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-perry/i-d-always-have-grease-in-at-least-two-places-in-case-the-umpires/) [Gaylord Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-perry/) > [Merkel has realized that the euro is not working, but she cannot change the narrative she has created because that narrative has caught the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/merkel-has-realized-that-the-euro-is-not-working-but-she-cannot/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Sam reached his hand toward mine and I automatically put my fingers in his. With a guilty little smile he pulled my hand toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/sam-reached-his-hand-toward-mine-and-i-automatically-put-my-fingers/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [I never caught on to being a bully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nolte/i-never-caught-on-to-being-a-bully/) [Nick Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nolte/) > [“I caught you!" he beamed. "See, girls really do throw themselves at me. Hey, guys!" His voice echoed off the carved stone and marble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-e-kirk/i-caught-you-he-beamed-see-girls-really-do-throw-themselves-at-me-hey/) A&E Kirk > [In the olden days in England, you could be hung for stealing a sheep or a loaf of bread. However, if a sheep stole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-harding/in-the-olden-days-in-england-you-could-be-hung-for-stealing-a-sheep/) [Mike Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-harding/) > [Everybody here is so caught up in the game of life they don't see death. They don't see beyond their deaths. They are on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everybody-here-is-so-caught-up-in-the-game-of-life-they-don-t-see/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [America today is a confused society, caught up in a terror war, a culture war, and a media war, where honesty and professional standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/america-today-is-a-confused-society-caught-up-in-a-terror-war-a/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [My phone rings, they call me up and say, 'Chael, your testosterone level is too high.' I say, 'Well, how high was it?' They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/my-phone-rings-they-call-me-up-and-say-chael-your-testosterone-level/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [Do not be caught up in materialism, one of the real plagues of our generation-that is, acquiring things, fast-paced living, and securing career success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/do-not-be-caught-up-in-materialism-one-of-the-real-plagues-of-our/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) Browse all 2,627 Caught quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Polynesians used to have a system where they proclaimed a fishing area as 'taboo.' If any fisherman was caught fishing in a taboo area, they would be killed. The Polynesians understood that the fish had to be given a chance to recover.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Watson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-where-they-proclaimed-a-fishing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Caught" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-where-they-proclaimed-a-fishing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/paul-watson-1855_caught_the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-wh_1853850.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Polynesians used to have a system where they proclaimed a fishing area as 'taboo.' If any fisherman was…” — Paul Watson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Watson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Polynesians used to have a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-where-they-proclaimed-a-fishing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/the-polynesians-used-to-have-a-system-where-they-proclaimed-a-fishing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```