In the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia, Bardi Jawi traditional knowledge has long identified close ties between coral reefs and mangrove forests that support local fisheries. Recent collaborative research has brought these connections into sharper scientific focus. The work draws directly on observations passed down through generations of Saltwater People whose lives depend on healthy coastal waters. ([1])
Traditional Understanding of Coastal Systems
Bardi Jawi Country features red earth, blue ocean, and green mangroves, a landscape that has sustained communities for millennia. Phillip “Bibido” McCarthy, coordinator of the Bardi Jawi men’s ranger program, describes his people as Saltwater People whose traditional diet centers on productive marine environments. This perspective treats reefs and mangroves not as separate habitats but as linked parts of one living system. Rangers and traditional owners have monitored these areas for years, noting how changes in one zone affect the other.
Partnership With Marine Scientists
For the past decade, Bardi Jawi and Oorany Rangers have worked alongside researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Their joint efforts focus on mapping and protecting both mangrove forests and nearby reefs, as well as longstanding Indigenous fishing grounds. The collaboration produced a peer-reviewed study that lists the rangers and traditional owners among its authors. This inclusive approach ensured that local observations shaped the research questions and methods from the start.
Protected Areas Shaped by Shared Knowledge
Findings from the project informed the creation of two major conservation zones. The 95,000-hectare Bardi Jawi Indigenous Protected Area was declared in 2013 and is managed by the Bardi Jawi themselves. In 2022 the 204,000-hectare Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park was established, with zoning rules that took effect in July 2026. These designations reflect the interconnected nature of the ecosystems rather than treating reefs and mangroves in isolation.
What Remains to Be Learned
The study confirms that mangrove and reef habitats work together to sustain fish populations, a relationship already embedded in Bardi Jawi ecological knowledge. Still, questions persist about how climate pressures or changing water conditions might alter these links over time. Ongoing monitoring by rangers will help track shifts and test management strategies. The partnership continues to blend scientific tools with generational insight to guide future protection efforts.
