Code of Conduct for OceansWatch project lead yachts in the Pacific Islands

1. After you have anchored, visit the local village to check if your spot is OK and the community are OK about you being there.
2. Do not fish at anchor.
3. If you arrive with pelagic fish caught offshore offer some to the local headman/contact person.
4. Have the OceansWatch flag on the port flag halyard or forestay and country flag on the starboard halyard.
5. You can put up country flags of the people on board on the port flag halyard under the OceansWatch flag.
6. Keep the boat clean and tidy at all times.
7. It’s a good idea to tie a floating line astern for canoes to tie to.
8. Follow the local dress code very carefully. In all cases women:

• should cover to below the knees when going ashore
• make sure your sarong or skirt is not see through
• cover your tummy
• cover your shoulders in conservative communities and at church.

In all cases guys:

• should wear long shorts (boardies, below the knee)
• and a T shirt or Bermuda shirt.

On the boat if you have guests, dress appropriately as well. 

• do not leave underwear drying on the lifelines
• put stuff away or use a net bag for drying stuff
• do not wear fancy jewellery or watches anywhere other than a resort 

 9. Invite people on board, especially the kids but do not be afraid of asking them to leave or limiting numbers.
10. Put away anything that shows your relative wealth such as fancy torches, knives etc.
11. Do not be seen to be working on a Sunday (especially in Tonga) or a Saturday in Seventh Day Adventist communities.
12. Let people see down below, one at a time and supervised.
13. Invite community leaders to eat on the boat with you.
14. Join in with village activities such as games etc.
15. Try to learn and use the local language.
16. Be humble, modest and friendly.
17. Be gender and culturally sensitive. For example women in PNG do not use canoes much but love to visit the boat so offer to pick them up in the dinghy.
18. Never say religious jokes.
19. You may be quizzed quite diligently about your religion, especially if you do not have one so it may be a good idea to prepare a reply that will not offend deeply religious people.
20. Never unduly raise expectations. The project leader is the only person on board with authority to talk on behalf of OceansWatch about requests and new projects.
21. Be professional. Never be late but expect the locals to be.  
22. Be very careful discussing anything that may have wider implications with local authorities. Never criticise Fisheries or Environment departments etc.
23. Make sure people know why you are there.