‘an assessment of the factors influencing the current and projected future environmental, economic and social values…’ of the Great Barrier Reef Region, s 54(3)(g) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
‘an assessment of the factors influencing the current and projected heritage values…’ of the Great Barrier Reef Region, s 176 (3)(e) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Regulations 2019 (Cth).
“We have an obligation to preserve and protect Country and Sea Country. If Country is sick, our people are sick. Having people work on Country heals them.”
“The wet season is changing. We need the rains to flush out the creeks and to keep them running. The colour of the water has changed over time. It doesn’t run clear anymore, it runs a dirty red, and it’s getting worse every year.”
“Our food sources are being affected. Creeks are drying up, as sediment and sand is washing into the creeks and building up along the river and creek banks. Invasive weeds like Guinea grass and Singapore daisy, with shallow root systems that don’t hold the ground together, are taking over. Elders are noticing a decline in our food sources like bream, mud cod, yabbies, and river mussels, just to name a few.”
“Runoff, water quality and physical barriers affects all species that are meant to thrive there, whether they filter the water or use the area for breeding. Aquatic weeds are also choking our waterways in several places.”
“We can restore and heal Country along with our old native species that used to be there, as our seed banks can still be in the ground after all this time.”
— Francis Joyce, Mamu Traditional Owner
Mamu Traditional Owner and Senior Ranger, Francis Joyce, leads the first Mamu Healthy Waterways Project for the Mamu Aboriginal Corporation Registered Native Title Body Corporate. Mamu’s waterways are facing several challenges. Francis is combining traditional knowledge systems with western scientific knowledge that is proving to be an effective management strategy for land-based runoff.
As part of the Healthy Waterways project, water sampling and monitoring work — along with accompanying surveys of the immediate surrounds — has given the Mamu Community the opportunity to collect important data that feeds into their management plans. Cultural values are also being captured. Elders who are less able to access Country anymore can connect to their place and contribute to management.
Source: Caring for Sea Country — Traditional Owner Stories from the Great Barrier Reef 1
