AMSA Marine Science and Meeting Indigenous Research Priorities Workshop Summary

Since 2016, a workshop focused on Indigenous engagement has been held annually at the Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference (AMSA). These workshops are aimed at promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's engagement in marine science by sharing information on successes and identifying what can be done to advance collaborations. This report summarises the information shared during the 2018 'Marine Science and Meeting Indigenous Research Priorities' workshop by...
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Since 2016, a workshop focused on Indigenous engagement has been held annually at the Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference (AMSA). These workshops are aimed at promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's engagement in marine science by sharing information on successes and identifying what can be done to advance collaborations. This report summarises the information shared during the 2018 'Marine Science and Meeting Indigenous Research Priorities' workshop by speakers with leading roles in Sea Country initiatives, reclaiming rights to Country and cultural practices. The workshop captured a broad geographical reach of First Nation representatives, predominantly from southern Australia, with a diverse insight to Sea Country knowledge, experiences and future aspirations. Indigenous scientists and scholars shared examples of working strategically within the academic and western science systems towards culturally collaborative research and management of Sea Country. Other talks identified priorities in Traditional Owner Sea Country Plans and governance structures that facilitate relationships with governments and scientists to manage Country. Collectively these speakers identified the importance of collaborative relationships for protecting and managing Sea Country, Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA), World Heritage sites, Ramsar listed sites, marine reserves and culturally significant species. This report also highlights the importance of AMSA's role in providing a meeting place and a national platform to disucss Indigenous collaborations in marine research. Speakers provided a series of recommendations for how AMSA can build on it's capacity to advocate for Indigenous matters and cross-cultural research in marine science.