Indigenous knowledge helps reveal the ties between reefs and mangroves
In a recent scientific article in the journal Ocean & Coastal Management, alongside the list of scientist-authors were the Bardi Jawi and Oorany Rangers and the Bardi Jawi Traditional Owners. For the past decade, Bardi Jawi rangers and traditional owners have been working with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) to study and protect […]
A recent scientific article in Ocean & Coastal Management highlights the crucial role Indigenous knowledge plays in understanding the intricate connections between reef and mangrove ecosystems. The study, conducted by Bardi Jawi rangers, traditional owners, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), showcases the collaborative efforts of these communities over the past decade.
The Bardi Jawi, a "Saltwater People" from the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia, have a traditional diet deeply rooted in healthy oceans. Their land, featuring red earth, blue ocean, and green mangroves, is protected within a 95,000-hectare Indigenous Protected Area and a 204,000-hectare Marine Park. The overall project and its findings have significantly influenced the design of both the Indigenous Protected Area and the marine park.
The study's findings underscore the interconnectedness of reef and mangrove ecosystems for sustaining fisheries, knowledge that has been recognized for centuries through Bardi Jawi traditional ecological wisdom.
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