Islander migrations and the oceans: From hopes to fears?

Abstract

This paper explores islanders’ hopes and fears for migration and non-migration, highlighting the role of the ocean. Migration, non-migration, hope, and fear are human conditions. To examine these conditions for islanders and oceans, this paper uses a qualitative evidence synthesis for collating and interpreting themes on the topic. Some types of hopes and fears, and a few reasons why they might emerge, are covered for islanders and oceanrelated migration. Then, different ocean representations which islander migration and nonmigration produces and portrays are presented. The conclusions question dichotomies and norms in the context of islander fears and hopes, as well as threats and opportunities, regarding ocean migrations.