Sandy Dann IV with Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group 031220

Kimberley Indigenous rangers and marine scientists met last week (Tuesday 1st – Thursday 3rd
December 2020) at the annual Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) forum in Broome.
ISWAG is an Indigenous-led and facilitated saltwater forum for the Kimberley. It includes members
from nine saltwater Prescribed Native Title Body Corporates (PBC’s); Balanggarra, Wunambal
Gaambera, Dambimangari, Mayala, Bardi Jawi, Nyul Nyul, Yawuru, Karajarri and Nyangumarta,
which represents traditional owner groups across 90% of the Kimberley coastline. ISWAG was
created to support Kimberley saltwater managers to implement their Healthy Country Plans through
collaborative research, policy and management.
Throughout the three-day forum, the group shared Indigenous knowledge and paired traditional
knowledge with cutting edge science to enable best practice saltwater management to ensure the
long-term sustainability of marine species in the Kimberley. The forum is recognised by scientists
from state and federal agencies and institutions as a key advisory body about saltwater knowledge
and management issues across the Kimberley.
A key outcome from the 2020 forum, was the tabling of an Indigenous led 10-year turtle and dugong
management plan for the entire Kimberley region. The plan, funded by Parks Australia and the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), lays out the framework for an
integrated western and traditional research approach to all aspects of turtle and dugong
management and conservation in the region. It builds on decades of foundational work by
Indigenous and non-Indigenous marine scientists and managers towards the long-term sustainability
of dugong and turtle populations in north west Australia.
At the forum, western science partners from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS),
DBCA, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) specialising in turtle, dugong, fish and
saltwater habitats, co-presented the results of recent marine science projects
https://www.dambimangari.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Dambi-ISWAG-2020-Report-1.pdf