As the continent’s Traditional Custodians for over 65,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have deep connections to their communities, lands and waters. These strong ties, alongside their Traditional Knowledge, make them invaluable experts in safeguarding Australia from biosecurity threats.
With over 10,000 kms of coastline, inlets and islands, northern Australia is vast, remote, sparsely populated and serves as the first line of defence against biosecurity incursions from overseas.
The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) targets biosecurity risks posed by exotic pests and diseases associated with natural and regulated entry pathways. NAQS partners with over 65 Indigenous ranger groups to create a biosecurity surveillance network, utilising the intimate cultural connections to Country alongside scientific learnings to understand, target and manage potential biosecurity threats.
This presentation will give an insight into NAQS, the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program and the partnerships with Indigenous ranger groups, support and training provided, as well as gain an insight from Indigenous rangers themselves as to the work they undertake.