15 February 2011

More than 20 Traditional Owners converged on Yarrabah this week to learn how to aid the fight against illegal activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The two-day "Eyes and Ears – Better Witness" training workshop run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) boosts the participants' skills in responding to and reporting suspected illegal activity.

GBRMPA Compliance Field Operations Coordinator Shaun Skerritt said the workshop met a desire by Traditional Owners and the wider Indigenous community to prevent illegal activities.

"The attendance and enthusiasm of participants means we've increased our network of eyes and ears to assist with Marine Park management and compliance," he said.

"The workshop covered Marine Park compliance, resources available to aid their work, zoning legislation and how Native Title legislation operates with Marine Park legislation.

"Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities have a close connection with the Reef and are important stakeholders in ensuring it is protected for the future.

"This workshop is a culmination of two years of planning and development by Traditional Owners, Indigenous stakeholders, the GBRMPA and a number of other government agencies."

Mandingalbay-Yidinji Traditional Owners attended the workshop in Yarrabah. Attendees included already established Indigenous Rangers and community members interested in sea country management.

There was widespread support for the workshop and its aims.

"This compliance training demonstrates a commitment to developing a serious partnership with the GBRMPA and other government agencies with the aim of managing sea country," Yidinji Traditional Owner Vince Mundraby said.

"These partnerships are part of a longer transitional plan to ensure the sustainability of this region's resources for future generations, and we support the rights and responsibilities of the custodians," Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Leon Yeatman said.

The workshops were delivered by GBRMPA through the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea Country Partnership Program.

The workshops represent one of three types of training packages GBRMPA developed to address specific issues identified by Traditional Owners.  All three training packages will continue to be rolled out during 2011.

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