The Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) and the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) are planning joint-management of a marine park across Wudjari Sea Country on the South Coast of Western Australia.
Wudjari Sea Country is celebrated for its cultural and natural values, unique seascapes and is an emerging tourist destination for a range of recreational activities including ecotourism, fishing, surfing and supports commercial fisheries. ETNTAC recognises these increasing pressures, and in addition to mapping cultural places and values, recognises the need for social benchmarks, and that this understanding will help ensure marine park planning aligns with the aspirations of Traditional Owners, locals and the broader community.
Traditional Owners and Rangers are working in partnership with researchers at The University of Western Australia and DBCA to conduct social research to understand marine recreation values of the local community. These map-based surveys are designed to inform the planning of the proposed marine park.
Social and cultural information is important for on-going monitoring and evaluation of marine parks, to understand how community values and use of the area can change after marine park designation and how cultural knowledge and leadership can inform management.