Welcome to this edition of the North Australian Indigenous Land
and Sea Management Alliance, Dugong and Marine Turtle Project
Newsletter. The Newsletter is about sharing information on dugong
and marine turtle and sea country management. If you belong to an
Indigenous ranger group and have a story idea for the next edition,
email Joshua
Kitchens at NAILSMA.
[ listen]
We welcome new readers of the newsletter, as we spread the net of
distribution more widely to include people who have shown interest
in receiving news from the project.
The newsletter will continue to be targeted to Indigenous Sea
Rangers, but we hope the fly-on-the-wall look at the NAILSMA Dugong
and Marine Turtle project will be of interest to the wider
audience.
Subscribing and unsubscribing is easy, just follow the links at the
bottom of the newsletter, or contact Josh who can do it for
you.
If you miss an edition and want to catch-up, look for the links
following the “In the News” section to access
the archives.
We introduce a new feature to this addition,
‘listen’ links. If you don’t like reading, try
clicking the links and you will access our audio versions of the
stories.
As always, we are keen to hear from you. If you have any story
ideas, comments or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact
Josh at the NAILSMA office.
Josh Kitchens
Communication and Project Support Officer
NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project
E: Joshua.kitchens@edu.au
T: 08 8946 6684
W: www.nailsma.org.au
[
listen] At a recent partner phone hook-up, the idea of
I-Tracker was talked about in more detail. With the partners at the
meeting giving their approval for the idea, the NAILSMA office is
now working hard to roll the program out over the next few
weeks.
I-tracker is a tool and training package that will help
Indigenous Rangers collect information from their on-country
patrols—information that has previously been collected using
pen and paper.
But it’s more than just a replacement for pen and paper!
Information collected with I-Tracker can easily be collected and
stored on a computer. People will then be able to share this
information easily, so a network of Indigenous Rangers will be able
to produce reports that show information about a whole
region—like northern Australia. This sort of regional
information is very important for looking after animals that travel
long distances—like turtle and dugong.
The I-Tracker project will run as a trial and the package will
include:
- a hand-held waterproof personal computer with touch-screen
- the world-famous ‘CyberTracker’ program
- programming CyberTracker so that it matches the activities of
Sea Rangers
- a training and support program
- a review of the trial after a three month period
The special programming required has been developed by the Djelk
Sea Rangers who have been using CyberTracker for four months. The
Djelk Rangers have taken to CyberTracker like a croc takes to water
and have generously agreed to share their experience and knowledge
with the I-Tracker project.
Shaun Ansell from the Djelk Rangers has been working tirelessly
to program CyberTracker so that it includes the following
activities:
- AQIS
- Customs
- Marine Debris
- Sick and stranded wildlife
- Dugong and turtles
- Turtle nesting
- Fish kills
- Commercial fishing
- Recreational and commercial boating activity
14 ranger groups have already been identified as trial
participants, and six people across the north have been identified
to form a support network for those taking part in the trial.
NAILSMA is currently buying the hand-held computers, making
final changes to the CyberTracker programming and developing a
‘quick start guide’, so that people will be able to get
up-and-running as soon as they received their I-Tracker
packages.
We hope to have the first units out and into the hands of
Rangers within a few weeks—so groups identified as trial
participants should keep an eye out for a package in the post, your
unit will be arriving soon!
Photo: Balupalu Yunupingu, Dhimurru Senior
Ranger Sea Country, holding one of the data collection units that
will be used in the I-Tracker project.
[
listen] The Bardi-Jawi Rangers have undergone an exciting yet
nerve-wrecking month with the appointment of six full-time rangers
under the Working on Country program.
The 11 Rangers had to compete with each other for the six
Working on Country positions, but spirits were high during the
process with the Rangers providing support for one another.
The Djarindjin Tele Centre became an important meeting point for
the Rangers with the Centre providing computers and printers for
them to prepare their job applications and resumes.
Alec Isaac and Nathan Sampi reported from the Djarindjin Tele
Centre during the final moments of preparing their
applications.
"It's been a real good learning experience for me", said
Alec.
"This is my first time to apply for a proper job. I've never
written a resume before, but now I see it finished and I think
geez, that's a lot I know. I've never seen that before. I'm proud
of myself."
Alec joined the Bardi-Jawi Rangers six months after the Ranger
program started. It makes him a little nervous that he hasn't been
with the group for the whole time, but he hopes the experience he
has gained over the past year will help him to be one of the people
selected for the advertised positions.
"I want a secure job. I really like what I am doing. I like
working on country and patrolling the beaches and doing work for
AQIS like mosquito trapping. It's good to have people caring for
country and it suits my lifestyle. I hope I get in."
Nathan Sampi is one of the original Rangers who started when the
Ranger program commenced in October 2006.
"When I first started I went to Ningaloo to do training on
recognising turtle tracks and using GPS to record locations",
Nathan explained.
"Now I can teach the new Rangers what I have learnt."
Nathan has acquired many other skills and qualifications while
working for the Bardi-Jawi Rangers, including a first aid
certificate, studies in land and sea management, and a restricted
coxswain certificate.
"Working on country is very important to me. I like learning
from the old people about cultural knowledge like bush foods,
hunting sites and turtle nesting areas, and I can record them on a
map."
When asked if he was nervous about applying for one of the
Working on Country positions, Nathan replied, "I have a good
feeling about this job."
It turns out that Nathan's feelings were right, both he and Alec
were successful in their applications, and together with four other
Rangers—Trevor Sampi, Kevin George, Mark Shadforth and Terry
McCarthy—now have the security of permanent full-time
positions with the Bardi-Jawi Rangers.
Kamis Bin Swani and Dwayne George were awarded positions as
reserve Rangers due to their impressive applications and previous
hard work and commitment to the Bardi-Jawi Ranger program.
Steering Committee members performed their selection panel role
with the utmost care and respect, reported Bardi-Jawi Coordinator,
Daniel Oades.
Jane Blackwood, Manager of the Land and Sea Unit for the
Kimberley Land Council was impressed with the high standard of the
interviews.
Photo:
Bardi-Jawi Rangers preparing their job applications at the
Djarindjin Tele Centre. Photo by Daniel Oades.
[
listen] On 18 March 2008, the Yanyuwa community made a landmark
decision on behalf of li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers, with the formal
appointment of a new Management Committee consisting of
representatives from each of the Yanyuwa clans.
Decisions affecting the rangers were previously made by a
committee led by Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Association—an
association that represents four language groups, Yanyuwa being
just one of them.
li-Anthawirriyarra (lit tsl. People of the Sea) Rangers
are a Yanyuwa organisation, so a Management Committee representing
the four clans is in keeping with Yanyuwa governance arrangements
and is therefore a very welcome development.
Two people from each of the four clans—Rrumburriya,
Wurdaliya, Wuyaliya and Mambaliya-Wawukarriya—make up the new
committee. Each of the elected individuals will represent either
ngimarringki (owner for father’s country) or
jungkayi (custodian for mother’s country) for each
respective clan group and estate.
These developments were timely with the success of
li-Anthawirriyarra’s application to government for
five new Ranger positions (three fulltime and two part-time
positions).
On 14 April 2008, a panel (consisting of four representatives
from the Management Committee and one from the Ranger Unit)
undertook interviews with eleven applicants for these positions.
The interview panel confirmed appointments the following day. As of
21 April 2008, li-Anthawirriyarra will employ six fulltime
and two Part time Rangers—all on salary.
The employment process will again be undertaken at the end of
this financial year when li-Anthawirriyarra will welcome the
first woman ranger to the team. Another woman ranger will also be
appointed at the end of the 2009/2010 financial year. Both of these
appointments will come under the banner of the Working on Country
program.
By the end of the roll-out of Working on Country positions,
li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers will number ten—constituting one
of the largest Indigenous Ranger groups in the Northern
Territory.
Photo:
Li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers and community members at the launch of
their new boat in February. Photo supplied by li-Anthawirriyarra
Rangers.
[
listen] The pending return of the dry season has signalled the
beginning of another busy year for the Dhimurru Sea
Rangers—as once again they take to the seas to patrol their
waters.
Recently, a member of the public dropped into the ranger station
with an interesting delivery. A Green Turtle with a fishing hook
caught in its throat—complete with its own plastic kid-sized
swimming pool filled with sea water and delivered on the back of a
trailer.
The Rangers made numerous attempts to remove the hook but after
some time and no success, the turtle had become quite distressed so
the decision was made to cut the line and return it to the water in
the hope the hook would rust out.
After returning to the Ranger Headquarters, the Rangers wanted
to know if they had done the right thing and if there was a better
way to deal with similar problems in the future.
A vote at the Dhimurru Ranger Station had decided that Rod
Kennett at the NAILSMA office was the best port of call in the
first instance. Rod advised that it sounded like they had done the
right thing, but suggested they should pose the question to the
CTURTLE community.
CTURTLE is a community of people from around the world who are
involved in turtle conservation. They are connected to each other
by email and anyone can join the community to access the wealth of
knowledge available.
The community works with people posting messages by email, them
members of the community will reply if they can offer useful
comments to the message posted.
Dhimurru joined CTURTLE and posted the question, “what is
the best way to remove a fishing hook from a turtle’s
throat?”
Within minutes of posting the question, the office began
receiving replies from people all over the world with tips and
advice for removing hooks from a turtle’s throat.
One reply was particularly helpful, with Lesley
Baird from the CHELONIA
Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centre in Broome
providing advice on a special tool that can be used to remove
hooks. Lesley even sent pictures of the hook removal tool,
details about how to use it, and tips on how to make one. [
read the full reply]
Dhimurru was so pleased with the advice that they have decided
to purchase one of the hook removal tools to include in their sea
patrol toolbox.
The only downside to joining the CTURTLE community is the number
of emails you will receive from enthusiastic people the world over.
This can be alleviated with the use of ‘rules’ in your
Microsoft Outlook that will automatically move the emails into a
special folder. If you would like help with setting up this
function, contact Josh at the NAILSMA office.
To join CTURTLE, visit http://accstr.ufl.edu/cturtle.html
Photo: The
hook removing tool. Photo supplied by Lesley Baird.
[
listen] Frank and Lachlan circulated the latest “Torres
Strait Regional Authority and NAILSMA Dugong and Turtle
Newsletter” last week.
This edition includes stories about the Mexico trip, Mabuiag
Working on Country program, schools information package, and much
more.
If you haven’t already received a copy in your email, you
can
download the newsletter from the NAILSMA website.
[
listen] Some great news coming out of the Torres Strait –
Kenny Bedford, former NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project
Officer for Erub Island in the Torres Strait, has been elected Erub
Councillor to the newly formed Torres Strait Island Regional
Council.
Kenny was also elected by the 16 members of the Council to the
position of Deputy Mayor for the Torres Strait Island region.
Additionally, as an Erub Regional Councillor, Kenny has been
automatically appointed as a member of the TSRA board.
In the same week, Kenny and partner Caitlin, also celebrated the
birth of their second child, Siuai.
This means we will lose Kenny’s direct input into the
NAILSMA DMPT, but he is looking forward to welcoming the Seri
Indians to the Torres Strait later this year in his new leadership
role and as part of the NAILSMA and Ocean Revolution cultural
exchange (see the story Mexican Cultural Exchange: Seri Indians Inspired
for more details of this exchange).
Congratulations Kenny!
Photo: Kenny
meeting with Seri Indians in Mexico. Photo by Frank
Loban.
Threatened Species Network
Community Grants
[
listen] Round 11 of the Threatened Species Network Community
Grants program is now open.
Community groups are invited to apply for up to $50,000 to
conduct on-ground conservation work for the ongoing health of our
natural environment, specifically targeting the needs of nationally
listed threatened species and ecological communities.
Funding is available for activities such as habitat restoration,
weeding, feral animal control, population surveys and monitoring,
fencing, and fire management.
Applications close 5pm Friday
May 30th.
Copies of the Program Guidelines, Application Form and Guide to
Completing an Application may be obtained from the website (
www.wwf.org.au/tsn) or by
contacting Jarrad Holmes (Threatened Species Network Coordinator -
Northern Savannas ) on (08) 8941 7554 or email
jholmes@wwf.org.au.
Minke headcount cut back by half - The
Australian
Minke headcount cut back by half The Australian, Australia - 2 Apr
2008 "Indigenous hunting is a pressure on the population that needs
to be dealt with," Dr Lawler said. Dugong expert Helene Marsh said
six Torres Strait ...
Tokyo strikes back with criticism of dugong hunt
- The Australian
Tokyo strikes back with criticism of dugong hunt The Australian,
Australia - 1 Apr 2008 Australia has 80 per cent of the estimated
world dugong population of 100000. The Japanese planned to
slaughter 985 minke whales last summer in Antarctic ...
Previous Editions of the DMTP
Newsletter
14 Mar | 28 Feb |
12 Feb
The NAILSMA Turtle and Dugong Project is funded by the
Natural Heritage Trust.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
To make a comment, email Joshua
Kitchens.
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