CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a long and enduring connection to Sea Country and should play a greater role in the delivery of marine science and management. The different perspectives of Indigenous Knowledge and Western science will give the strongest foundation to understand marine ecosystems and inform modern marine management decisions. It also expands our ecological and cultural knowledge, as well as increasing the capability, capacity and geographic reach of Traditional Owners’ marine activities. In a survey of 128 marine scientists, responses indicated that the majority of marine scientists see mutual benefits from engagement, do not avoid it and believe it will become more important in the future. The marine science community must actively embrace Indigenous Knowledge and make space for it in our current publishing systems, as well as exploring new and innovative ways to share knowledge and encourage the next generation of Indigenous scientists. To that end, the Australian Marine Sciences Association proposes a special issue in Marine and Freshwater Research focusing on ‘Science in Sea Country’.

Collection Editors

Alexandra Campbell, Mibu Fischer, Chris Frid, Mitchell Gibbs, Laura Parker and Rachel Przeslawski

Last Updated: 02 Dec 2024

MF23230Connecting young people to Country through marine turtle conservation: exploring three case studies in Western Australia’s Pilbara region

Clodagh Guildea

, Sabrina Fossette, Tristan Simpson, Sarah McDonald, Natasha Samuelraj, James Gee, Suzanne Wilson, Jane Hyland, Dimitrov Atanas, Susan Buzan, Julian Tan, Rebecca Mackin, Jason Rossendell and Scott Whiting

Oceans and marine turtles are facing many challenges. Collaboration and partnership between Traditional Custodians and conservation programs empower Aboriginal young people as future conservation leaders and are important to achieve long-term conservation goals. Three case studies explore the importance of partnerships in conservation, providing additional on-Country opportunities for young people, and enabling future pathways in the Pilbara, Western Australia.

This article belongs to the collection: Science in Sea Country.

MF23193Recognising the importance of shellfish to First Nations peoples, Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in aquaculture and coastal management in Australia

Mitchell C. Gibbs, Laura M. Parker, Elliot Scanes and Pauline M. Ross

First Nations peoples of Australia hold deep cultural connections and knowledge of marine molluscs and Sea Country that has persisted for millennia. To sustain mollusc aquaculture and biodiversity we need to join Indigenous and Western Science knowledges together. Only then we will really recognise the strength we have in working together on Sea Country.

This article belongs to the collection Science in Sea Country.