Recording Indigenous Knowledge (IK) about the natural environment in a culturally appropriate way is critical to enhancing conservation efforts and empowering Indigenous communities in doing so, but also to preserving cultural heritage. In Australia, conservation and management agencies, non-governmental organisations, and academic institutions increasingly collaborate with Traditional Owners to integrate IK with Western science. While IK is often incorporated into broader environmental management plans, Indigenous groups also use it to maintain records, communicate knowledge, and guide Sea Country planning and policies.
For marine megafauna, IK typically helps fill spatial knowledge gaps in Western science, with participatory mapping being a commonly used method. However, while it can provide useful outputs for natural resource management, mapping alone cannot capture the full depth of Indigenous worldviews, cultural beliefs, and relationships with Sea Country.
We reviewed research, management, and monitoring projects that documented IK on marine megafauna in Australia, including Indigenous-led initiatives. Additionally, we conducted focus groups with Traditional Owners across the Great Barrier Reef to understand their experiences with IK recording, identify overlooked aspects, and co-develop approaches to address these gaps. Based on this synthesis, we present culturally-appropriate methods for recording IK on marine megafauna and discuss their different applications.