DIVE for Sama-Bajau: From Sea Nomads to Ocean Guardians

"The map is not the territory" - Alfred Korzybski

"Once you arrive, it's no longer just your own contextual thinking" - Tang Shih-wei

In January 2025, we led over 30 volunteers into a forgotten corner of the world. Here, there are no forests, no land, no borders, and no identity recognition — this is the world of the Sama-Bajau people. As maritime nomads of the Austronesian language family, they have navigated the archipelagos south of 23°26'10.5"N for generations, yet have never received official recognition from any nation.

When young indigenous Taiwanese met their blood relatives, the Sama-Bajau, the boundaries of happiness became blurred. Although the United Nations continues to monitor the Sama-Bajau situation, substantive solutions remain absent. Upon entering their world, we realized their circumstances strikingly mirror the historical experiences of Taiwan's indigenous peoples.

Current Situation and Challenges (SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities)

The Sama-Bajau face multiple challenges:

- Maritime regulations restrict their traditional livelihood

- Complex tribal power structures affect resource distribution

- Lack of basic identity recognition prevents access to government assistance

Marine Ecological Crisis (SDG 14 Life Below Water)

Our diving survey revealed severe ecological issues:

- Coral reefs show extensive damage, fragmentation, and bleaching

- Significant decline in fish populations

- Continuing loss of biodiversity

These environmental changes directly threaten the Sama-Bajau's traditional fishing lifestyle. They are forced to dive deeper for fish, with some resorting to destructive fishing methods, creating a vicious cycle.

Basic Living Conditions (SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation)

Field observations revealed:

- Dwellings constructed mainly from driftwood, lacking structural stability

- Only one household has an official address; others are considered illegal residents

- Coastlines littered with plastic waste

- Unstable food supply and inadequate nutrition

Sustainable Development Solutions

Based on the SDGs framework, we propose:

1. Transform marine debris into economic resources, nurturing the Sama-Bajau as ocean guardians (SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production)

2. Establish identity recognition mechanisms to ensure basic rights (SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

3. Develop sustainable fishing practices to protect marine ecosystems (SDG 14 Life Below Water)

4. Provide educational opportunities for the next generation (SDG 4 Quality Education)

Our local partner #52hz told us: "Those living on boats at sea are often the poorest families." These words left a deep impression. As AIICAO activists, this field study strengthened our resolve: beyond improving current conditions, we must help the Sama-Bajau voice their concerns, like whales in the ocean, carrying their message far and wide.

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This is not merely a humanitarian aid mission but a concrete implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Only by fundamentally improving the Sama-Bajau's living environment can we achieve truly sustainable development.