He Whakaputanga Moana (Declaration for the Ocean), signed in March 2024 by Indigenous leaders from across Polynesia, recognizes whales as legal persons with inherent rights, including freedom of movement and the right to a healthy ocean. Grounded in Indigenous worldviews and kaitiakitanga, the declaration calls for stronger whale protection through marine protected areas, rāhui, and the weaving of Indigenous knowledge with science. While not legally binding, it aims to pressure governments to develop legal frameworks for whale rights and strengthen Indigenous-led ocean guardianship for future generations.