Indigenous group suspends hunting in the wake of summer disasters
Environment Minister Vicky Darling has today applauded a move by North Queensland indigenous clans to suspend the traditional hunting of both turtles and dugong as the species continues to suffer from the fallout of the state’s summer disasters.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Environment Minister Vicky Darling has today applauded a move by North Queensland indigenous clans to suspend the traditional hunting of both turtles and dugong as the species continues to suffer from the fallout of the state’s summer disasters.
Ms Darling said the Girrigun Aboriginal Corporation was leading the push to suspend traditional hunting until both species properly cover from summer’s floods and cyclones which had a devastating effect on seagrass beds – their major food source – the length of the Queensland coastline.
She said the suspension involves two Aboriginal clans which – even though they are covered by an earlier agreement to cap hunting of turtles and dugong and hold Native Titles rights over sea country north of Townsville - have agreed to suspend hunting indefinitely.
“I think this move speaks volumes about the capacity of local traditional owners groups to make their own informed decisions about cultural practices that have existed for thousands of years,” Ms Darling said.
“I congratulate the clans of Girrigun for this decision because it acknowledges that while there are severe limitations in addressing the food supply crisis hitting turtles and dugong, we can address the impacts humans are having on the population and hunting is one of them.”
The Girrigun decision follows a landmark voluntary agreement reached just two weeks ago by Traditional Owners to suspend hunting of dugong in an area from Gladstone to Bundaberg.
Ms Darling said the agreement between four Traditional Owner groups and the State and Commonwealth Governments meant no dugong would be taken through hunting in an area extending from Burrum Heads, south of Bundaberg, to – and including – Curtis Island off Gladstone.
“As a part of this agreement, the traditional owners of this country have decided that they will not hunt dugong and will limit their take of green turtles to a maximum of 20 per year for the next five years.
“This is the sort of collaborative approach that is needed, particularly at the moment as this marine animal species struggles in the wake of our summer of disasters.
“These are real outcomes for sustainable hunting that are occurring right now through genuine engagement with Traditional Owners.
“You do not achieve these results through threats of heavy-handed regulation as the LNP has promised if they were to take office.
“Traditional owners don’t need the threat of new laws and regulations hanging over their heads to practice sustainable hunting.
“You can only achieve real conservation outcomes when you work collaboratively with the Traditional Owners who have been the traditional custodians of the land for thousands of years.”
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