摘要
•The perception of local people (Rapanui) is that marine resources are declining.•Central fisheries regulations do not fit with the Polynesian culture of Rapanui.•Implementation of ancient tapu for resources recovery was suggested by the Rapanui.•In the past, tapu did not allow consumption of open water fishes, such as tuna.•In the present, there is not a governance scenario to re-implementing tapu.