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Co-design and traditional owner participation in an assessment of Donax deltoides (garlaany, pipi) in Ngambaa Country, New South Wales.

Jade Fredericks , Hannah Smith, Kirsten Benkendorff , Karina Hall

Abstract

Context. Integration of indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) and traditional owner participation in the co-design of field sampling techniques can optimise data collection on important fisheries resources, that may be under-represented using conventional scientific methods alone. Aims. To co-design an IEK-informed sampling methodology to assess counts and size frequency distribution of an aggregated sandy shore mollusc, Donax deltoides (garlaany, pipi), then apply this by undertaking a spatial and temporal assessment. Methods. We worked with traditional owners to co-design a sampling regime synonymous with traditional harvesting techniques. This method was then applied to an assessment of D. deltoides at Stuarts Point Beach on the Mid-North of the East Coast of Australia, over 13 months from November 2021–November 2022. Key results. This co-designed methodology differed from conventional scientific sampling methods and was successful at detecting significant spatial and temporal variation in D. deltoides counts and size frequency distributions and correlations with environmental variables.. Conclusions. A co-designed framework that integrates indigenous ecological knowledge can provide quantitative assessments of counts and size frequency distributions in an exploited aggregated sandy shore mollusc. Implications. Indigenous ecological knowledge and traditional owner participation can facilitate scientifically rigorous data collection on culturally important species, whilst fostering stewardship and co-management.

MF23235  Accepted 10 April 2024

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