Representatives from three Aboriginal groups in Queensland have outlined their vision for shared management of ‘sea country’ in a new report published by CRC Reef. The report highlights Traditional Owners’ extensive knowledge of marine and coastal resource management.

The report compiles case studies from Traditional Owners from Gooreng Gooreng, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, and Ambiilmungu Ngarra Aboriginal Corporation with Balkanu Cape York Development Agency. These studies illustrate the strength of Traditional Owner interest in cooperative management of their sea country.

“Our sea country is a great place, and a lot of people like to visit. We want to make sure that we’re working effectively with management agencies to look after our sea country together,” said Mr Philip Rist, CEO of Girringun Aboriginal Corporation.

“The case studies show that there are flexible ways to combine Indigenous rights and responsibilities, with government responsibilities. The report suggests ways in which cooperative management partnerships could develop and will be a starting point for discussions,” said Professor Helen Ross, from The University of Queensland whose team compiled the case studies.

Mr James Innes, Research and Monitoring Manager at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), who was also involved in the study, said the Authority was keen to develop partnerships with Traditional Owners. “We’re very glad to be part of work like this, and to assist Traditional Owners in developing Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements for the sustainable management of their sea country,” he said.

CRC Reef and the case study authors hope that the studies will be used each in their own right, as starting points for discussion of co-management with GBRMPA; and also as a set, illustrating the nature of Traditional Owner aspirations towards co-management and ways of developing complete or partial co-management regimes.

The report is available at www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/techreport/techrept56.htm

For more information, contact Helen Ross, University of Queensland, hross@uqg.uq.edu.au

CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd

PO Box 772 Townsville
Queensland 4810 Australia
Telephone: 61 47298400
Facsimile: 6147298499
Email: Info@crcreef.com
Website: www.reef.crc.org.au

CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd was established and is supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program. Its mission is to plan, fund and manage world-leading science for the sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. CRC Reef is a joint venture between Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation, James Cook University, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, and Sunfish Queensland Inc. The University of Queensland is an associate member.

June 2005 In this Issue:

Indigenous visions for Sea Country

June 2005
In this Issue: