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The importance of Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in marine management in northern Australia

The importance of Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in marine management in northern Australia. Phil Rist, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Leah Talbot, Australian Conservation Foundation Rod Kennett, NAILSMA . Girringun Aboriginal Corporation – Story from Country.

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The importance of Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in marine management in northern Australia

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  1. The importance of Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in marine management in northern Australia Phil Rist, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Leah Talbot, Australian Conservation Foundation Rod Kennett, NAILSMA

  2. Girringun Aboriginal Corporation – Story from Country

  3. North Australian marine and coastal ecosystems are pristine After Halpern et al 2008

  4. Exceptional Environmental Values

  5. Exceptional Cultural Values

  6. A bit of history • Colonization of Australia (1788) brought disruption to Aboriginal culture and traditional practices • We have faced dysfunctional approaches to live in a westernized system where connection to traditional country is limited or absent • The current ‘white fella’ legal system has slowly recognized our rights as traditional owners and custodians of our land and sea country • We have been able to re-gain possession of some of our country (land and sea) after lengthy and costly legal battles • Land rights have had more attention and been applied more to ‘land’ than ‘sea’ claims • By negotiating collaborative management arrangements we have gained a better say in the caring for our country (land and sea)

  7. Indigenous held land Indigenous held land • 35% of land area of North Australia • Significant area of coastline - 85% of total NT coastline Indigenous Land Held* • 85% of NT coast • 50% of north Australia • young and growing population

  8. www.nailsma.org.au

  9. Our achievements in managing our sea country • Recognition by Government and communities of our traditional sea country in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. • Statutory recognition of our customary law and traditional sea country boundaries • Established Traditional Owners’ permit system for hunting of marine species

  10. Our achievements in managing our sea country • Funding for governance and staff and ranger activities eg community engagement, patrolling and enforcement, • Managing sites of cultural significance • Establishing partnerships with Universities to carry out ‘two-way research’ and building capacity of our rangers • Credibility to extend our work throughout all Girringun country (Girringun Regional Indigenous Protected Area)

  11. National Indigenous Sea Country Workshop 2012 • Agreed Findings •  inconsistencies in legislation and policy; • opportunities and constraints differ greatly between regions; • Indigenous People seeking greater control and power • in policy and legislation • capacity and powers for individual sea country managers • Recognition of Indigenous holistic views - sea country is more than just sea.

  12. National Indigenous Sea Country Workshop 2012 • Agreed Findings • Community management at the local level must be a priority, where local Indigenous people do the planning, control the knowledge, and direct and conduct the processes on the ground. • a national voice and a national organisation was required to promote Indigenous sea country issues.

  13. Phil Rist, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Leah Talbot, Australian Conservation Foundation Rod Kennett, NAILSMA Questions www. acfonline.org.au www.nailsma.org.au www.girringun.org.au

  14. NAILSMA operates across north Australia NAILSMA works to assist Indigenous people manage their land and sea sustainably and fairly for future generations.

  15. Training, workshops and skills development Technical support via email, phone and site visits Network of Indigenous ranger groups across northern Australia

  16. Using I-Tracker 1 2 I-Tracker applications are custom built using CyberTracker software. They meet the data needs of TOs and rangers. Applications are installed onto rugged PDA for use on country. 3 Rangers collect data using the PDA while on patrol. 4 Rangers sync PDA with computer. All data goes from the PDA into a CyberTracker database for storage and analysis.

  17. I-Tracker Saltwater Country Patrol What can you monitor using the Saltwater Country Patrol Application? • Turtle, dugong and cetacean (dolphins and whales) • Turtle nesting areas and predation • Sick and stranded wildlife including fish kills • Marine debris including ghost nets and other rubbish • Commercial and recreational fishing activity • Illegal fishing activity • Quarantine and Customs information

  18. Snapshot of I-Tracker reporting 3. Image of Patrol Sightings 1. Patrol Summary 2. List of Patrol Sightings Note: This data does not represent real events and is used as an example only

  19. Indigenous held land Indigenous held land • 35% of land area of North Australia • Significant area of coastline - 85% of total NT coastline Indigenous Land Held*

  20. ITracker@nailsma.org.au

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