20 Feb 2009
Indigenous Sea Rangers from northern Australia have impressed
international delegates attending the 29th Sea Turtle Symposium in
Brisbane with their world-leading approach to turtle
management.
Indigenous Sea Rangers from the Kimberley, Top End of the Northern
Territory, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York Peninsula and the Torres
Strait Islands spoke of their success in working together to
conserve marine turtles across northern Australia, one of the
world’s last strongholds for marine turtles.
The rangers are part of a north Australian project run by
Indigenous people to manage marine turtle on a regional scale that
matches the large migratory range of the animals —the first
project of its kind in the world.
The Dugong and Marine Turtle Project, coordinated by the North
Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA),
partners with the Kimberley Land Council, Northern Land Council,
Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Balkanu Cape York
Development Corporation and the Torres Strait Regional
Authority.
NAILSMA Chief Executive Officer Joe Morrison said he was not
surprised by the attention the project was receiving from the
international community.
“Indigenous land and sea managers across northern Australia
are world-leaders in many regards; combining Traditional Knowledge
with modern science to manage marine turtle in Australia,”
said Mr Morrison.
Pearson Wigness, Kaurareg Traditional Owner said the
community-based management plans recently developed by Torres
Strait Islanders raised a lot of interest.
“People were very interested in the collaborative approach we
have used to develop our turtle and dugong management plans in the
Torres Strait,” he said.
“They were impressed by the way we have integrated
Traditional Law with the needs of other stakeholders like
government and the scientific community to manage turtle and dugong
in our region; and they want to learn from our example,” said
Mr Wigness.
Participants at symposium applauded the actions of Indigenous
communities to establish monitoring and research programs on marine
turtle populations.
The President of the International Sea Turtle Society Dr Colin
Limpus presented the Dhimurru Rangers with a “Champions
Award” last night, recognising their leadership in sea turtle
conservation and sea country management.
This the first time the international event has been held in
Australia, attracting some 750 delegates from 86 countries to
Brisbane. The annual symposium is the premier event for the
world’s sea turtle enthusiasts, researchers and managers.
The Symposium is organised by the International Sea Turtle
Society.
The Indigenous delegation included Bardi Jawi Rangers, One Arm
Point, WA; Dhimurru Rangers, Nhulunbuy, NT; li-Anthawirriyarra Sea
Rangers, Borolloola, NT; Numbulwar Numburindi Amalahgayag lnyung
Rangers, Numbulwar, NT; Mardbalk Sea Rangers, Warruwi, NT; and land
and sea managers from the Torres Strait. Traditional Owners from
from the Burdekin region and Moreton Bay were also in
attendance.
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Media Contacts:
To arrange an Interview with Mr Joe Morrison, please contact Joshua
Kitchens, Dugong and Marine Turtle Project Communication and
Project Support Officer.
- Tel: 08 8946 6684
- Fax: 08 8946 6388
- Mob: 0405 349 496
- Email: Joshua.kitchens@cdu.edu.au
To arrange an interview with Dhimurru Land Managment, please
contact Steve Roeger, Executive Officer; Djawa Yunupingu,
Director.
- Tel: (08) 8987 3992
- Fax: (08) 8987 3224
- Email: steve@dhimurru.com.au; director@dhimurru.com.au
More Information
For more information about Torres Strait Land and Sea Managment
contact Frank Loban, Senoir Natural Resource Managment Officer
(sea), Torres Strait Regional Authority.
- Tel: (07) 4069 2957
- Fax: (07) 4069 2967
- Email: Frank.loban@tsra.gov.au
For more information about Bardi Jawi Rangers contact Daniel Oades,
Turtle and Dugong Project Officer, Kimberley Land Council.
- Mob: 0427 798 492
- Email: daniel.oades@klc.org.au
Background Notes
Rangers and groups participating in the NAILSMA Dugong and
Marine Turtle Project
• Bardi Jawi Rangers (WA)
• Dhimurru Rangers (NT)
• li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers (NT)
• Torres Strait Land and Sea Managers (QLD)
• Mornington & Burketown Rangers (QLD)
• Gangalidda/Garrawa Wild River Rangers (QLD)
• Wellesley Islands Rangers (QLD)
• Injinoo Community (QLD)
• Lockhart Community (QLD)
• Pormpuraaw Rangers (QLD)
• Hopevale Community (QLD)
• Kemer kemer Meriam Nation - Mer (Murray) Islanders, Erub
(Darnley) Islanders (QLD)
• Maluiligal Nation - Badu Islanders, Mabuiag Islanders, St.
Pauls community (QLD)
• Guda Maluiligal Nation - Malu Kiai (Boigu) Islanders
(QLD)
• Kulkalgal Nation - Iama (Yam) Islanders (QLD)
• Kaiwalagal Nation – Kaurareg (QLD)
Partners of the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project
• Kimberley Land Council
• Northern Land Council
• Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
• Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation
• Torres Strait Regional Authority
NAILSMA Alliance Members
• Kimberley Land Council
• Northern Land Council
• Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
• Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation
NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project Awards
• NT Landcare Awards: Winner “Coast Care Award”
2007
• Banksia Environmental Awards: Winner “Caring for
Country Award” 2008
• Banksia Environmental Awards: Runner-up
“People’s Choice Award” 2008
• National Landcare Awards: Runner-up “People’s
Choice Award” 2008
Coordinator of the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle
Project
• Dr Rod Kennett
