Caring for Sea Country: Co-Designing Seagrass Mapping and Monitoring in South East Arnhem Land
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
We, the Numbulwarr Numburindi and Yugul Mangi Rangers, are working together to protect and manage our Sea Country in South East Arnhem Land. Since 2022, in partnership with James Cook University and Charles Darwin University, we have conducted large-scale seagrass surveys, using helicopters for intertidal areas and boats for deeper habitats. These surveys revealed much larger and more diverse seagrass meadows than previously mapped. These meadows support important dugong and turtle populations that are culturally significant to us. This year we are using the mapping data to co-design our monitoring plan, and to start monitoring using drones for intertidal areas and underwater cameras from our ranger boats for subtidal areas. These methods allow us to monitor remote and difficult-to-access locations. By integrating Indigenous Knowledge with new technologies, we are building a program that respects and reflects our cultural values and empowers us to lead the long-term care of our seagrass meadows. This work is critical for managing our new South East Arnhem Land Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area. We will share how we are building our capacity as rangers, the importance of seagrass to our culture, and how working together with scientists is helping us care for our Country.
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AMSA 2025: 59th Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference
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1
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Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Australian Marine Science Association
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Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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