Land and Sea Country

Traditional Owners continue to interweave their diverse cultures, knowledge systems, management and spiritualities with the Great Barrier Reef (the Reef) as they have since time immemorial.

 

Image of coastline from viewpoint.

Approximately 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clan groups remain culturally, economically, and spiritually connected to their Land and Sea Country now referred to as the Great Barrier Reef.

The broader Reef management community including researchers are partnering with Traditional Owners to support the sustainability and longevity of the Reef now and into the future.

Land and Sea Country is not just a geographical area, it includes all living things, beliefs, values, creation stories, spirits and cultural obligations associated with it. To Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Land and Sea Country is not only a place of belonging, but also refers to an interdependent relationship between Traditional Owners and their ancestral lands and seas.  

Learn more about Land and Sea Country

Aerial image of Broomfield Reef.
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Maps

Traditional Owners and partnering organisations are working towards a co-designed, modern marine park management approach that is informed by western scientific and traditional knowledge systems to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Underwater image of colourful reefscape.
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Planning

Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef continue to assert their inherent rights and interests from their continuing connection to Land and Sea Country. As custodians of land and sea, Traditional Owners assert their special rights and interests extend beyond the definition of ‘stakeholders’.

Aerial image of a coastal ecosystem of waterways and mangroves. (c) Commonwealth of Australia (Reef Authority), photographer B. Smith
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Strategy

A variety of strategies and guidelines help organisations and Traditional Owners work together to care for the Great Barrier Reef. Most strategies have been put together with Traditional Owners to help understand Reef Traditional Owner rights, interests, and management obligations, while others provide guidance for successful engagement.
Underwater image of marine turtle.
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Research and monitoring

Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef are engaged in research and monitoring of the Reef. The Strong Peoples – Strong Country framework is a Traditional Owner led approach for systematic monitoring of the condition of the Reef and its catchment as an Indigenous heritage asset.