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Indigenous Rangers wow International Turtle Conference

23 Febraury 2009 - CDU - 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 form 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 worlds 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.

This Dugong and Marine Turtle Project is supported by NAILSMA, through funding from the Australian Government's Caring for our Country.

Source: CDU

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