A guide to Indigenous science, management and governance of Australian coastal waters

Understanding the management and governance of Australia’s vast coastline can be complex. International, Commonwealth, State and Indigenous entities all have various roles and powers to promote the health and integrity of Australia’s marine environments.

[Quick links: Promoting Partnerships - Maps to help you get started - Links to Indigenous Sea country Management Plans]

For Indigenous Australians, the coastlines where they live not only play a significant role in their daily lives by providing natural resources, but are also deeply embedded in their social, cultural and spiritual values. Indigenous Australians have been skilfully managing their “Sea country” for thousands of years. However, modern day coastal Australia is facing rapidly increasing pressures from many new sources. Population growth, recreational and commercial fishing, industry and the rapid development of coastal areas are all examples.

In response to today’s modern day challenges, many Indigenous groups have developed their own management goals and aspirations, many of which are synthesised in Healthy Country (see an example) and Indigenous Protected Area Management Plans (IPAMPs - see an example). One goal within most of these plans is to form strategic alliances and partnerships with other marine science and management agencies, a goal that provides everyone with the opportunity to work together for the common good. There is a shared realisation that the integration of traditional knowledge and western science provides a potent way in which to better understand our coastline ecosystems and meet these new challenges.

But how do you go about conducting science in indigenous Sea country? Who lives where? What is the status of governance? Who manages what? And with whom can we partner?

 

Promoting partnerships for Sea Country Research and Monitoring in Western Australia: A snapshot of Indigenous, science and management agency partners

Indigenous Sea Country science managed by Land & Sea Rangers in association with one or more science, university, industry and management agencies is a growing area in the marine research and monitoring science fields. In Western Australia, these types of partnerships have grown exponentially in the last decade alongside Native Title Claims and are proving effective in delivering cross-cultural understanding in areas that include not only science but marine management, business and education sectors. In all, thirty saltwater Native Title holders and claimants, eight government agencies, four universities and various marine science and professional organisations have developed or are in the process of developing cross-cultural partnerships specifically targeting marine science projects. Alongside this positive outcome, the sharing and blending of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with western science techniques is proving to be an effective, respectful and inclusive way to acknowledge both knowledge streams.

A report titled “Promoting partnerships for Sea Country Research and Monitoring in Western Australia: A snapshot of Indigenous, science and management agency partners” provides a current state-of-affairs in listing the present status of indigenous and non-indigenous partners in science, their activities, capacity and direction in collaborative science projects on Saltwater Country in Western Australia. It uses 2019 (August) information to profile a broad range of organisations whose goals, structures, policies and programs will change with time. As such, the information in this document is expected to become progressively outdated. The report has been produced by Mosaic Environmental in conjunction with the National Environmental Science Program’s Marine Biodiversity Hub with the intention of identifying existing partners, as an aid to all interested parties in facilitating further science and management projects and in acknowledgement of the importance of working as a united front when confronting contemporary problems in today’s rapidly evolving marine estates.

When using this document, please cite appropriately and adhere to the Copyright conditions and Limitation listed below.

Citation: Lincoln G, Hedge P (2019) Promoting partnerships for Sea Country Research and Monitoring in Western Australia: A snapshot of Indigenous, science and management agency partners, Version 1. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub. Mosaic Environmental.

Copyright: This report is licenced by the University of Tasmania for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia Licence. For licence conditions, see https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/

Limitations: This document should only be used for the purposes of promoting collaborative saltwater science projects between named Indigenous saltwater groups in Western Australia and those included organisations/agencies/collaborations with marine science agendas in the state.

 

Maps to help you get started...

Below we provide links to a set of interactive maps which offer a starting point to guide scientists, managers, students and the general public to identify indigenous Sea country areas. These maps provide basic but important information and are meant to be a first step in identifying the legal framework and governance of traditional indigenous Sea country. Depending on the map, by zooming in on your geographic area of interest, information which identifies traditional ownership, representative bodies, legal status, land-use agreements, landmarks, correct names and GPS locations are all available to guide you so that you can plan ahead, make contact with the correct organisation or simply learn more about indigenous Australia. Click on each subheading below to access the relevant map.

 

Where does native title exist in Australia?

Native title is the recognition in Australian law that some Indigenous people continue to hold rights to their land and waters. It may include the right to possess and occupy an area to the exclusion of all others, or it may be a set of non-exclusive rights. There can be no native title rights to minerals, gas or petroleum recognised under Australian law. In tidal and sea areas, only non-exclusive native title can be recognised.

 

Where are Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in Australia?

Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in Australia are voluntarily dedicated by Indigenous groups on Indigenous owned or managed land or sea country. They are recognised by the Australian Government as an important part of the National Reserve System, protecting the nation's biodiversity for the benefit of all Australians. There are currently over 70 dedicated IPAs across 65 million hectares accounting for more than 40% of the National Reserve System's total area.

 

Where do Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) exist across Australia?

An Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) is an agreement about the use and management of land and waters made between people who hold, or may hold, native title in the area, and other people, organisations or governments. To be an ILUA, an agreement must meet with the requirements of the Native Title Act 1993.

 

Where do Representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Body (RATSIB) areas exist across Australia?

The National Native Title Tribunal was established by the Native Title Act 1993 to make decisions, conduct inquiries, reviews and mediations, and assist various parties with native title applications, and Indigenous land use agreements (‘ILUAs’). Australia is split into representative areas to facilitiate this.

 

What are the Preferred and Alternate names for indigenous locations where Australian Government programs and services have been, are being, or may be provided?

The Australian Government developed its Indigenous Programs & Policy Locations (AGIL) dataset as an authoritative source of indigenous location names across Australia. It is designed to support the accurate positioning, consistent reporting, and effective delivery of Australian Government programs and services to indigenous locations. The dataset contains Preferred and Alternate names for indigenous locations where Australian Government programs and services have been, are being, or may be provided. This dataset is NOT a complete listing of all locations at which indigenous people reside. Town and city names are not included in the dataset.

 

Links to Indigenous Sea country Management Plans...

Where established indigenous Sea country Management Plans are in place (view a map), you can view them by clicking on their names in the tables below. A separate table is provided for Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, Torres Strait Islands, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.

Western Australia (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Docment type	Time span	Source agency
Nyangumarta Warrarn and Karajarri IPA	Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park	State management plan	2014-2024	DPaW, Nyangumarta Rangers
Karajarri IPA	Karajarri Healthy Country Plan 2013-2023	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	2013-2023	Karajarri Traditional Lands Association
Yawuru IPA	Yawuru Nagulagun / Roebuck Bay Marine Park	Joint Management Plan	n/a	DPaW & Yawuru
Bardi Jawi IPA	Bardi-Jawi Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	2013-2023	Bardi and Jawi Rangers
Dambimangari IPA	Dambimangari Healthy Country Plan 2012-2022	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	2012-2022	DPaW & Dambimangari
Dambimangari IPA	Lalang / Garram / Camden Sound Marine Park Management Plan 73 2013-2023	Joint Management Plan	2013-2023	DPaW, Dambimangari & Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation
Uunguu IPA	Uunguu Indigenous Protected Area: Wundaagu (saltwater) Indicative Plan of Management 2016-2020	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	2016-2020	Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation
Uunguu IPA	Wunanbal Gaambera Healthy Country Plan	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	n/a	Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation
Balanggarra IPA	Balanggarra Healthy Country Plan 2012-2022	Indigenous Health Country Plan	2012-2022	Balanggarra Rangers
Nyikina Mangala Rangers (Healthy Country Plan)	Walalakoo Healthy Country Plan 2017-2027	Indigenous Health Country Plan	2017-2027	Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation, Nyikina Mangala Rangers
Nyul Nyul Rangers (Healthy Country Plan)	Nyul Nyul Freshwater Management and Monitoring Plan	Management and Monitoring Plan	n/a	Nyul Nyul Rangers
Nyangumarta Warrarn IPA	Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management 2015 to 2020	Indigenous Management Plan	2015-2020	Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation
Mayala Baaliboor – Mayala (Country Plan)	2019-2029 Mayala Country Plan	Country Plan	2019-2029	Mayala Inninalang Aboriginal Corporation

 

Northern Territory (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Docment type	Time span	Source agency
Anindilyakwa IPA	Anindilyakwa Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management 2016	Indigenous Management Plan	2016-2026	Anindilyakwa Land Council
Dhimurru IPA	Dhimurru Yolnuwa Monuk Gapu Wana IPA Sea Country Management Plan 2013-2015	Indigenous Management Plan	2013-2015	Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
Dhimurru IPA	Dhimurra Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan 2015-2022	Indigenous Management Plan	2015-2022	Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
Laynhapuy IPA	Yirralka Rangers Business Plan 2013-2016	Indigenous strategic business plan	2013-2016	Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corp
Anindilyakwa IPA	ALC 15 year Strategic Plan	Indigenous Strategic plan	2012-2027	Anindilyakwa Land Council
South East Arnhem Land IPA	Yugul Mangi Land and Sea Management Corporation	Indigenous Information	n/a	ANU & Yugul Mangi Sea Management Corp
Yanyuwa IPA	Barni-Wardimantha Awara Yanyuwa Sea Country Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	2007	Yanyuwa
South East Arnhem Land IPA	South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management 2016-2021	Indigenous Management Plan	2016-2021	Yugul Mangi & Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers
Djelk IPA	Djelk Healthy Country Plan 2015-2025	Indigenous Management Plan	2015-2025	Djelk Rangers & Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation
Marthakal IPA	Marthakal Indigenous Protected Area Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	2011-2016	Marthakal IPA & Gumurr Marthakal Rangers

 

Queensland (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Docment type	Time span	Source agency
Nijinda Durlga IPA	Nijinda Durlga (Gangalidda) Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	n/a	Gangalidda & Gangalidda-Garawa Rangers
Thuwathu-Bujimulla (Wellesley Islands) IPA	Thuwathu/Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	Varies	Lardil, Yangkal, Kaiadilt & Gangalidda
Pormpuraaw Rangers (Land in Trust)	Pormpuraaw Land and Sea Country CNRM Plan 2010-2015	Indigenous Management Plan	2010-2015	Kuuk Thaayorre & Wik Mungkan
Eastern Kuku Yalanji IPA	Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan Stage 2 - Jalunjii-Warra Land and Sea Country	Indigenous Management Plan	2012+	Yalanji, Kuku & Jabalbina Yalanii Aboriginal Corporation
Mandingalbay IPA	Mandingalbay Yidinji IPA Planning	Fact sheet	n/a	Mandingalbay Yidinji & Djunbunji Limited
Mandingalbay IPA	Strategic Plan for Mandingalbay Yidinji Country	Indigenous Strategic Plan	2009+	Mandingalbay Yidinji & Djunbunji Limited
Gunggandii Land and Sea Rangers (Prescribed Body Corporate Aborginal Corporation)	Gunggandji Land and Sea Country Plan	Indigenous Strategic Plan	2013+	Gunggandji
Girrigngun IPA	Girringun Region Indigenous Protected Areas Management Plan 2013-2023	Indigenous Management Plan	2013-2023	Girringun
Eastern Kuku Yalanji, Mandingalbay and Girringun IPA	Wet Tropics Aboriginal Cultural and Natural Resource Management Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	2005+	Varied
Guanaba IPA	Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area Fact Sheet	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated
Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers IPA	Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Cape York Peninsula Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	2005	Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation

 

Torres Strait Islands (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Document type	Time span	Source agency
Warul Kawa IPA	Warul Kawa IPA Fact Sheet	Fact sheet information	n/a	Torres Strait Regional Authority
Pulu IPA	Pulu Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management	Indigenous Management Plan	2009	Pulu Indigenous Protected Area and Mabuygiw Rangers
Warraberalgal and Porumalgal IPA	Warraberalgal and Porumalgal Indigenous Protected Area	IPA Brochure	n/a	Torres Strait Regional Authority
Warraberalgal and Porumalgal IPA	Warraberalgal and Porumalgal Indigenous Protected Area	Torres Strait IPAs Fact Sheet	n/a	Torres Strait Regional Authority

 

New South Wales (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Document type	Time span	Source agency
Ngunya Jargoon IPA	Ngunya Jargoon IPA Plan of Management	Indigenous Management Plan	2013	Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council
Minyumai IPA	Minyumai IPA Plan of Management & MERI Plan	Indigenous Management Plan	2011	Minyumai Land Holding Aboriginal Corporation
Gumma IPA	Gumma Indigenous Protected Area	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Nambucca Heads Local Aboriginal Land Council

 

Victoria (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Document type	Time span	Source agency
Deen Maar IPA	Deen Maar Indigenous Protected Area	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Framlingham Aboriginal Trust
Lake Condah IPA, Kurtonitj IPA & Tyrendarra IPA	Ngootyoong Gunditj Ngootyoong Mara South West Management Plan	State Management Plan	2015	Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Tyrendarra IPA	Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Lake Condah IPA	Lake Condah Indigenous Protected Area	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Kurtonitj IPA	Kurtonitj Indigenous Protected Area	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation

 

Tasmania (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Document type	Time span	Source agency
Risdon Cove and Putalina IPA	Risdon Cove and Putalina Indigenous Protected Areas	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Preminghana IPA	Preminghana Healthy Country Plan 2015	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	2015	Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
lungatalanana IPA, Babel Island IPA & Big Dog Island IPA	lungtalanana, Babel Island & Big Dog Island Healthy Country Plan 2015	Indigenous Healthy Country Plan	2015	Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Mount Chappell Island IPA & Badger Island IPA	Mount Chappell Island and Badger Island Indigenous Protected Areas	Fact Sheet Information	n/a	Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

 

South Australia (view a map)

Indigenous Protected Area	Name of plan	Document type	Time span	Source agency
Wardang Island IPA	Conservation Action Planning June 2015 Summary Southern Yorke Peninsula	Government Report	2015	South Australian Aboriginal Lands Trust
Yalata IPA	Yalata Indigenous Protected Area Draft MERI Plan – Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Improvement (2011-2016)	Indigenous Healthy Country Draft Plan	2011-2016	Yalata Land Management , Yalata Community Inc.

 

Important...

Please read, cite and use these documents responsibly by referring to any special requirements outlined. Note that this is a rapidly evolving area with many new plans to be finalised and published shortly (here is an example). It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of the most up to date information.