Indigenous Ranger Aquatic Biosecurity Program: Collaborating to strengthen Northern Australia’s biosecurity surveillance network
Evan Rees1, Michelle Skarlatos Simoes2, Dale Morris1
1Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cairns, QLD, 4870
2 Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Darwin, NT, 0820
With over 10 000 kms of coastline, inlets and islands, northern Australia is vast and remote and vulnerable to exotic animal, plant and aquatic pests and diseases arriving from other countries.
The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) Indigenous Ranger Aquatic Biosecurity Program targets biosecurity risks posed by marine pests and aquatic diseases associated with natural and regulated entry pathways. Key pathways of concern include marine debris (ghost nets, traditional rafts, vessel waste) and through international vessel movements including itinerant yachts (ballast water and biofouling).
Delivery of core surveillance efforts are assisted by fee-for-service arrangements with Indigenous ranger groups across northern Australia. This allows NAQS to utilise Indigenous ranger’s intimate knowledge of Land and Sea Country and provides a platform for the active surveillance of target aquatic pests and diseases.
This program engages 48 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ranger Groups to conduct aquatic surveillance activities, with approximately 200 activities being completed annually.