Indigenous participation in monitoring megafauna within the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program: final report of the Indigenous participation team in the megafauna expert group

Abstract

[Extract] This report summarises a desktop review and analysis of Indigenous participation in monitoring megafauna in the coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef (the Reef), and contributes to the development of design recommendations that satisfy the objectives of the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program (RIMReP). The review commences with an overview of Traditional Owner groups in the Reef that have strong cultural connections to megafauna, particularly sea turtles and dugongs, and highlights their aspiration to participate in RIMReP comprising an inseparable component of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan). About 20 per cent (9/44) of Traditional Owner groups in the Reef were identified as participating in megafauna monitoring activities, mostly through ranger programs. However, apart from detailed reports of dolphin and dugong boat surveys undertaken by James Cook University (JCU) in partnership with five north Queensland Traditional Owner groups, representing 11 per cent of Traditional Owner groups in the Reef, we found no other documentation. Hence, our assessment should be treated with caution given the limitations of using information collated only from a desktop review. Nevertheless, the apparent absence of broad participation in megafauna monitoring activities provides an opportunity to implement a coordinated and standardised approach throughout the Reef from the outset as reflected in our recommendations.