Indigenous rangers from Great Barrier Reef undertake scuba diver training

To date, 16 Indigenous rangers from 10 Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner groups have undertaken scuba diver training with tourism operator Experience Co on Gunggandji and Yirrganydji Sea Country in Cairns, as part of the Reef Joint Field Management Program, jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments.

The diving skills acquired will help First Nations Rangers to manage their Sea Country into the future, in partnership with government.

Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon advised “First Nations communities have been the custodians of their Country for more than 50,000 years – including on the Great Barrier Reef.

“It’s only right that we continue to support opportunities for First Nations Peoples to care for Country and support their ambitions.

“The open water and advanced diver training provided under the Reef Joint field Management Program starts Indigenous rangers on a journey to be able to conduct in-water works on Sea Country such as Reef Health and Impact Surveys, reef rehabilitation, crown-of-thorns starfish surveillance and visitor infrastructure maintenance.”

Commonwealth Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek said it was exciting to see the rangers getting the diving licences they needed to be able to do hands-on management of the Great Barrier Reef.

“The diving skills learnt by the rangers during diver training will evolve into future opportunities – including future job opportunities. For some, this was the first time they had ever been scuba diving,” Minister Plibersek said.

Indigenous ranger Brody Gray from Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji PBC said for him, the best part of the training was the experience of meeting and getting to know other Indigenous rangers.

“The whole course was great, it was the first time I had been scuba diving and getting in the water with other Indigenous rangers was a fantastic experience” Gray said.

“I’m hoping to use the skills I’ve learnt to help to manage our Sea Country”

The Reef Joint Field Management Program is run in partnership by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Program is committed to strengthening and enriching partnerships with First Nations people.

For more information about the Reef Joint Field Management Program v

For more information about the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program

Image: Indigenous Ranger Simon Muriata