17 January 2011

Traditional Owners who have a passion for looking after their sea country are encouraged to apply for project funding through a grants program provided by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

The Federal Government's Caring for Our Country Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea Country Partnerships Program will provide in 2010-11 a one-off grants program of $5,000 to $50,000 to Traditional Owners to carry out environmental initiatives on their traditional land and sea country.

GBRMPA's Director of Indigenous Partnerships Darren Cameron said the grants program will be offered only in 2010-11 and Traditional Owners are encouraged to apply before applications close at 5pm on Thursday 10 February.

"The Sea Country Grants Program of $300,000 was launched a month ago with the aim of supporting Traditional Owners interested in undertaking sea country management initiatives to assist the sustainable future of the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Cameron said.

"The knowledge and close connection Traditional Owners have to the Great Barrier Reef makes them an integral partner in the protection and management of the reef.

"Traditional Owners have expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in compliance activities to address illegal take through illegal netting and poaching, and the grants program has the capacity to support communities in these activities.

"Grants could be provided for sea country management initiatives such as research and monitoring of dugong and marine turtles, environmental improvement programs or developing sea country management plans.

"The grants program will support direct Traditional Owner involvement in natural resource management activities, bringing environmental, health and social benefits for the broader Indigenous community.

"Through this program the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is building partnerships between Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities, reef stakeholders and management agencies to protect the Great Barrier Reef."

The grants program will be available to a broad cross section of Traditional Owner groups who are working on a range of sea country management initiatives.

Individuals or communities interested in applying for the Sea Country Grants Program should go to www.gbrmpa.gov.au.

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