for Traditional Owners Management of the
Wellesley Islands
After the successful Native Title determination over the
Wellesley Islands in 2004, the Traditional Owners, with the
assistance of the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation,
embarked on developing a management plan for their sea country.
The plan, funded by the National Oceans Office, is designed to
incorporate traditional laws and customs into the existing
management arrangements handled by several State and Federal
Government agencies.
After two years' hard work (and almost two decades of
partitioning for inclusion in natural resource management
processes) by Traditional Owner groups that make-up the area, the
plan was recently launched in Cairns with many of the government
agencies currently responsible for management of their sea country
in attendance.
Thuwathu is the Lardil, Yangkaal and Kaiadilt language name for
the Rainbow Serpent that lives in the sea and holds the law of the
Sea Country. Bujimulla is the Gangalidda language word for the
Rainbow Serpent. The name Thuwathu/Bujimulla Sea Country Plan is
used to convey the importance of the Rainbow Serpent in linking
together the four saltwater language groups and in the management
of their sea country.
The plan outlines the traditional laws and customs of the four
groups, including the need to ask permission to access sea country
and cultural heritage management, and how other stakeholders in the
region can work with the Traditional Owners to assist in the
inclusion of these recognised rights and interests into the current
management process, while also being mindful of these other
stakeholder interests.
Key aspects of the plan include the establishment of a ranger
service, sea country zoning, sharing of resources, and the
sustainable management of important resources such as turtle,
dugong, and developmental fisheries.
“That sea that is part of our land. Our ancestors
lived off it and so do we. It’s no stranger to
us. We can talk the language that belongs there. When
you talk that language, the sea will look after you.” (Name
not included for cultural reasons)
If you would like any further information in regards to the plan
please contact Bradley Wilson, Dugong & Marine Turtle
Coordinator on Mornington Island on 0427 112 035, or Lisa
Castanelli, Senior Gulf Regional Legal Officer on 07 4041
3833. For copies of the plan please contact the CLCAC Cairns
Office on 07 4041 3833.
