ASFB and ASL 2014* Valuing Indigenous engagement in fisheries research (#124)
Indigenous Australian’s have extensive knowledge, experience and passion in managing natural resources. Their continued connection to country is being recognised by a variety of organisations, including researchers from universities, government agencies and/or non-government organisations. There is a shift towards merging both Indigenous knowledge and western knowledge to gain a better in depth understanding of our ecosystems. This shift includes localised Indigenous ranger programs, joint research initiatives at the jurisdictional level as well as a steady push at the ‘sectoral’ (eg north Australian) and national levels. Indigenous engagement in ecosystem research and management is an obligated activity, it is enshrined in Indigenous culture through ceremony, stories, songs, art and law (lore).
Australia needs to be proud of its Indigenous heritage and ensure it is protected, but first needs to clearly define what it is. This is best done by including Indigenous people in research and management. Benefits to engage Indigenous people in research and management initiatives are more than just about cost efficiency or social and cultural maintenance. It’s about modelling holistic approaches in obtaining vital ecosystem based research that can recognise 60 000 years of research and management. This presentation will discuss the benefits of engaging Indigenous Australians in fisheries related research and management. It will provide some case studies at the local, jurisdictional, sectoral and national levels. The success of these activities has been through them being driven by a ‘ground up’ approach with a strong ‘top down’ approach used to support these initiatives.
