Saltwater Country Management Forum
The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) held their annual Saltwater Country Management forum in Broome at the start of November.
Over 80 ISWAG members and marine scientists attended the three-day forum held at Broome Surf Lifesaving Club with the aim of sharing knowledge and increasing the capacity to manage, protect and work on Kimberley sea country.
The meetings are an important opportunity for members to share findings and observations from ongoing sea country research work. Representatives from Australian Marine Parks also discussed strategies for improving governance, shared funding opportunities and pathways to becoming qualified marine scientists.
The membership updated the ISWAG Strategic Plan and discussed future directions for the advisory group.
ISWAG is proud to recognise the enduring connection between Traditional Owners and their sea Country. The group acknowledges the inherent responsibility and role that the ecological cultural knowledge of Australia’s first scientist plays in the sustainability of our oceans.
Overview of ISWAG Three-Day Agenda;
Australian Marine Parks shared opportunities for extended funding support to ISWAG. There was also the opportunity to discuss further funding for the Kimberley Turtle and Dugong Initiative work through the recent Ausrtalian Marine Parks grant round.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) presented on recent Kimberley research and discussed a proposed funding deed to undertake activities in line with ISWAGs priorities such as Customary Fishing and Capacity Building for Rangers
ISWAG members workshopped a Dugong Genetics Project and how a NESP funded Drone Survey could be implemented on Country in 2024 with James Cook University (JCU) and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Staff.
The Indigenous Land and Sea Council (ILSC) came and discussed support to strengthen the governance model or ISWAG.
