The Mandubarra Aboriginal Land and Sea Incorporated (MALSI) co-manages their Sea Country through a Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA), ensuring sustainable management of marine resources. Marine megafauna, including dugongs and turtles, hold deep cultural significance for the Mandubarra Aboriginal community. In collaboration with TropWATER (James Cook University), MALSI led a project at Kurrimine Beach, northern Queensland, to develop drone-based monitoring techniques for documenting the occurrence and distribution of these culturally significant species.
During a week-long training, Mandubarra Rangers were equipped with the skills to conduct drone surveys from both land and sea and learnt how to process their data. Vessel-based surveys allowed Rangers to map dugong, turtle and other marine megafauna distributions, while land-based drone monitoring was trialled to detect turtle tracks for nesting assessments.
The use of accessible technologies, such as small drones and aerial imagery, provides a practical approach for Indigenous Rangers to conduct long-term monitoring across their Sea Country. This partnership highlights the potential for community-led drone surveys to enhance Indigenous stewardship, strengthen cultural and environmental management, and support long-term conservation efforts.