Standard Presentation Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting 2023

Nutrient Loads on Roebuck Plains: Quantifying Water Quality Pressure on Yawuru Nagulagun (#165)

Kevin Crook 1 , Kiehana Carter 1 , Jason Richardson 2 , Leroy Pigram 3 , Vaughan Lee 3 , Julie Melbourne 3 , Luke Puertollano 2 , Wil Bennett 2 , Todd Quartermaine 2 , Dean Mathews 3
  1. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
  2. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Broome, WA, Australia
  3. Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate, Broome, WA, Australia

Yawuru traditional owners have long recognized the deep connection between buru and nagulagun (land and sea Country). The Yawuru Indigenous Protected Area covers both buru and nagulagun, recognizing that they are integrally linked, and that healthy Country is critical for maintaining healthy liyan (relationships with country, family, and community). Yawuru Nagulagun was declared a marine park in 2016 with water quality as a key performance indicator in the joint management plan. Pressures associated with urban development and agricultural activities in the region are of increasing concern for water quality in nagulagun. Consequently, Yawuru traditional owners have identified water quality monitoring as a high priority due to its linkages with the ecological and cultural values of the marine park. Yawuru people have recently taken over management of Roebuck Plains pastoral station and have expressed desire to improve cattle management practices to minimize downstream impacts on water quality. In collaboration with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Yawuru traditional owners initiated a water quality monitoring program on Roebuck Plains to assess nutrient levels in freshwater runoff during the wet season. Here, we present findings from this work and identify next steps for managing and maintaining the health of Yawuru Country.