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Forum Delegates
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Project leader: Rod Kennett
The inaugural planning forum for the newly created Saltwater
People Network took place at Mount Bundy Station in the Northern
Territory from 23rd to 25th of February 2010.
The forum brought together Saltwater People from across the
north to discuss the direction of the Saltwater People
Network—a new NAILSMA project that builds on the highly
successful Dugong and Marine Turtle Project.
Included were representatives from the Kimberley Land Council,
Bardi Jawi Rangers, Karrajarri Rangers, Northern Land Council,
li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Rangers, Thamarrurr Rangers, Dhimurru
Rangers, Djelk Rangers, Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal
Corporation, Gangalidda/Garawa Rangers, Wellesley Islands Rangers,
Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, Lockhart Aboriginal
Shire Council, Torres Strait Regional Authority and Carpentaria
Ghost Nets Programme.
Participants were unanimous in their support for the future
development of I-Tracker including
the “I-Map” concept (the development of advanced
mapping and reporting capabilities for CyberTracker data) and a
revised I-Tracker program for the collection of data during
saltwater country patrols.
The Djelk Rangers’ presentation on how they have used data
from the I-Tracker sea country patrol program and their own
CyberTracker patrol programs to manage their country was a
highlight for many of the attendees.
The forum created a great platform for strengthening existing
networks between the delegates and creating new ones. The
attendance and participation of the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme
(CGNP) at the forum, as well as their adoption of I-Tracker for the
collection of ghost nets data, further cemented the sister
relationship between the CGNP and the Saltwater People
Network—formerly know as the Dugong and Marine Turtle Project.
Representatives from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service (AQIS) also attended to discuss the significant
collaborations between AQIS and NAILSMA that have resulted in a
commitment to support Indigenous rangers to use I-Tracker for the
collection of data for AQIS fee for service work, including marine
debris and insect trapping.
This project is supported by NAILSMA, through funding from the
Australian Government’s Caring for our Country.
Click here to view photos and video
from the forum.
