The GBRMPA has devised several structural and procedural arrangements to enhance the accommodation of Indigenous rights and interests in the planning and management activities for the marine park (there are approximately 70 Traditional Owner groups with rights and interests in areas covers by the marine park). The arrangements for co-management between the GBRMPA and Traditional Owners include the accreditation of Traditional Use Marine Resource Agreements (TUMRAs), statutory provision for the appointment of at least one Traditional Owner representative on the Board of Management (since an amendment to the enabling legislation in 1994), the possibility of membership on Local Marine Advisory Committees (established to provide a formal opportunity for local groups to discuss management arrangements in specific zones of the marine park), and the establishment of an Indigenous Partnerships Liaison Unit in 1995.
In addition, a Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships Reef Advisory Committee has been established to provide advice to the corresponding division of the GBRMPA (the Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships Group) on policy development, the development and implementation of strategic and operational management plans and liaison activities throughout the marine park area in relation to four key objectives:
'To ensure that the natural values in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Marine Park) are maintained or enhanced within a broad ecosystem-based framework,
Recognising the cultural association of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders with the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and their values and use of the area, to foster partnerships with Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who use and visit the area, especially as they relate to the other three objectives,
To ensure that the heritage values within the Marine Park are maintained or enhanced, with particular emphasis on: cultural heritage of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders; non-Indigenous cultural heritage,
To ensure the … [GBRMPA’s] involvement within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area meets Australia’s obligations under international conventions relevant to those objectives (for example, the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species, Ramsar).' (GBRMPA, Consultation and Community Involvement: Reef Advisory Committees - Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships, 2009, p. 1)
The implementation of these objectives is the primary responsibility of the Indigenous Partnerships Liaison Unit (IPLU) which:
'Coordinates the GBRMPA's relationships with some 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. Current programs address issues such as sustainable traditional use of marine resources, Indigenous tourism, sea country research and education and cultural heritage management.
The primary methods of Indigenous service delivery currently utilised in the GBRMPA are:
Direct interaction with Traditional Owner groups
Facilitation of Indigenous program delivery across the GBRMPA and Day-to-Day Management Groups
Cross agency coordination of Indigenous issues through the Indigenous Issues Senior Management forum
Indigenous Stakeholder Forum to guide planning for the Indigenous components of the Reef Rescue Plan
Direct interaction with Native Title Representative Bodies
Collaborative service delivery and reporting arrangements with State and Australian Government agencies.' (GBRMPA, Annual Report, 2007-2008, pp. 41-42) | |
