Underwater video cameras observing fish and water sampling for tell-tale traces of environmental DNA are among the initiatives set to monitor estuary health in Gumbaynggirr Sea Country, thanks to a NSW Environmental Trust grant awarded to Southern Cross University.
The project, 'Empowering Indigenous communities to monitor and measure estuary health and cultural resources in Gumbaynggirr Sea Country', has received $199,317 over three years through the NSW Environmental Trust's Environmental Research Grants Program.
Southern Cross University will partner with Ngiyambandigay Wajaarr Aboriginal Corporation (NWAC) and the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) to monitor estuary health and assess cultural resources throughout Gumbaynggirr Sea Country.
The project involves deep, structural collaboration with Traditional Owners to enhance connection to Sea Country, ensuring culturally relevant priorities are realised through active knowledge exchange and participation.
Indigenous rangers will also work alongside a Southern Cross University PhD candidate to develop advanced technical skills in local estuary management on the NSW Mid North Coast.
MAIN IMAGE: Gumbaynggirr Sea Country Rangers doing a transect survey for mangrove seedlings, propagules (seeds) and aerial roots in the quadrant. These are all indicators used to assess the natural recovery of the mangrove forest at Boambee Creek estuary, which was impacted by a hailstorm and ongoing pollution (credit: Gumbaynggirr Sea Country Rangers NWAC).
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The Environmental Research Grants Program funds applied research that improves understanding of key environmental issues in NSW, tests innovative solutions to reduce environmental degradation, and supports the development of cleaner industry practices that are less harmful to the environment.
"By supporting this work, we are empowering researchers and communities to find smarter, more sustainable ways to protect our environment for future generations," said Josh Keating, NSW Environmental Trust Manager of Contestable Grants.
Southern Cross University's lead investigator Professor Kirsten Benkendorff said she was excited to be guided by Traditional Owners in collaboration with the NWAC Gumbaynggirr Sea Rangers and Yurruungga Rangers.
"This project builds on our successful collaboration with the rangers to investigate impacts on the local mangrove ecosystems in Boambee Creek ," said Professor Benkendorff.
"The survey protocols will be co-designed with Traditional Owners to tread lightly on Country, whilst collecting valuable data."
The project team will establish sites at Boambee Creek south of Coffs Harbour and the Bellinger River at Urunga to develop methods that can later be applied across other Gumbaynggirr estuaries.
Bringing together modern science and Indigenous knowledge
Some of the project's initiatives include:
- Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV): deploying underwater GoPro cameras paired with pilchard bait arrays to monitor local fish diversity and populations
- Environmental DNA (eDNA): using eDNA water and sediment sampling techniques to track many species at the same time; these findings will monitor changes in the estuary against the Indigenous seasonal calendar;
- Contaminant Testing: testing of local seafood stocks to certify safety and ensure habitats remain completely free of environmental contaminants.
Dean Kelly is the CEO of Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) which manages Budaabangbari daalbirrwirr, the Bellinger Valley Indigenous Protected Area consultation project.
"As the Descendants of the Budaabangbari, Southern Gumbaynggirr, we are guided by our senior elders and a profound cultural obligation to protect and care for our Country. Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation is deeply committed to preserving, promoting, and sustaining Gumbaynggirr cultural heritage, and this collaborative project represents a vital step forward in exercising that responsibility," said Mr Kelly.
"The Gumbaynggirr people have a long history of connection to the sea (gagaal), river (bindarray), creek (yamaan), and mangrove (baru baruga) ecosystems. Integrating modern scientific methods – such as environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and baited underwater cameras – allows us to monitor changes in our estuaries in direct alignment with our Indigenous seasonal calendar.
"True conservation relies on structural, two-way knowledge sharing. By supporting our rangers, creating professional pathways through the Southern Cross University PhD candidate opportunity, and hosting on-Country field days, we are ensuring that Indigenous Ecological Knowledge continues to evolve and lead local environmental management.
"Through this partnership, and in the spirit of ngalan-junaaygam (agreement), we continue our shared, vital responsibility to safeguard, nurture, and advocate for our lands and waters for the generations to come," Mr Kelly said.
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Katrina Widders, CEO of Ngiyambandigay Wajaarr Aboriginal Corporation, said: "We are proud to be working together for the protection and preservation of Country and Cultural values.
"This work continues the vital responsibility shared by our communities to safeguard, nurture, and advocate for our lands and waters," Ms Widders added.
Mr Kelly emphasised the regional scale of the work.
"Biodiversity mapping and assessing the health of culturally important seafood and habitat around Urunga will provide vital information for the ongoing management of our Bellinger Valley Indigenous Protected Area (Budaabangbari daalbirrwirr) consultation project," said Mr Kelly.
Professor Benkendorff said the project will get underway soon. In the meantime she encouraged prospective PhD candidates to get involved in this unique opportunity.
"Overall, this project hopes to improve connection of Traditional Owners to Baru Baruga (mangroves) in Gumbaynggirr, provide new information for the evolution of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and facilitate ongoing management of our local estuaries," said Professor Benkendorff.
Field days are planned for later in the year.
