Funding boost for Traditional Owner-led Reef projects

Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water

The Australian Government has announced $3 million to expand the Traditional Use of Marine Resource Agreements (TUMRAs) and Sea Country Values Mapping projects.

TUMRAs describe how Reef Traditional Owner groups work in partnership with the Australian and Queensland governments to manage traditional use activities on their Sea Country.

This new funding, which is delivered through the Australian Government Reef Trust, is being provided to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

It will strengthen Traditional Owner capacity through agreements and partnerships, to increase Traditional Owner involvement in protecting and managing Sea Country in the Great Barrier Reef.

The funding will:

  • partner Traditional Owners in co-management initiatives
  • enhance the protection of Indigenous Heritage Values
  • increase species and ecosystem protection within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
  • support planning, monitoring and on-country activities
  • provide employment opportunities
  • expand 10 accredited TUMRAs covering approximately 43 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef coastline, with Sea Country planning underway with Dabu Jajikal, Dyirribarra Bagirbarra, Wanjuru Yidinji and Yuwi Traditional Owners.

This funding is part of a larger commitment of $9 million to bolster existing Australian and Queensland government programs for Traditional Owner-led Reef projects.

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