The Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) annual forum, organized by the Kimberley Land Council and Nyamba Buru Yawuru, took place in Yawuru country last week.
Representatives of the Bagarrawilty, Bardi, Bardimari, Disture, Jabbir Jabir Jabir / Nyangmbard, Nyangurta, Nyl Nyul, Gambal Nyurus, Gambaltan Gosseded with a cosided community. bivern, the rest of her partner.
More than 60 traditional owners and rangers gathered as part of the Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) annual forum in Broome. Source: Delivered / Kimberley Landraad
The council discussed a range of issues facing the Kimberley coastline, including illegal finishing, overtourism and climate change, and how each community is dealing with the threats.
“The forum provides a space to facilitate discussions on joint regional projects and the opportunity for a collective voice to influence our authority for the Sealand, a united voice of Kimberley Traditional Owners and the importance of tackling climate, industry and tourism pressures together,” he said.
Traditional owners also called for continued investment in conservation efforts for dugong and green turtle populations. This call was heard as the forum concluded with a commitment to a Kimberley-wide dugong monitoring programme.
Rangers from across the Kimberley gathered in Broome to learn and talk about protecting and preserving the Sea Country. Source: Delivered / Kimberley Landraad
The forum also saw a strengthened ISWAG governance and facilitated new and continued collaboration that aims to prioritize indigenous knowledge and voices in marine management across the Kimberley.
“We have shown that when traditional owners take the lead, we can influence national policy and shape the way land and sea are managed across the country. This forum is about working together as one region, sharing knowledge and ensuring Indigenous voices shape how the coast is managed.
We don’t just respond to change; We are at the forefront and ensure that our maritime country remains healthy for generations to come
ISWAG has platformed and prioritized Traditional Owners’ cultural knowledge and grassroots expertise in marine research, policy and management for more than a decade. With its reach along the Kimberley coastline, the group facilitates year-round collaboration between communities, researchers and government agencies.
Nyul Nyul and Karajarri rangers regularly conduct seagrass monitoring in their country in the Kimberley. Source: Delivered / Kimberley Landraad
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