New skills for rangers teaming up with NT fisheries

This month 19 Indigenous rangers will be training to expand the monitoring and surveillance capacity in NT fisheries to support their management of Indigenous Protected Areas.

Rangers from Daly River, Crocodile Island and Finniss River have travelled to Maningrida in West Arnhem Land to join the Djelk rangers in training for a Certificate II in Fisheries Compliance.

As part of their role managing the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area, the Djelk sea rangers undertake surveillance and monitoring for NT fisheries, Australian Customs and the Department of Agriculture.

“This cert II training is an important step in rangers contributing to protecting our natural assets,” Djelk acting ranger manager Dominic Nicholls said.

“It expands our capacity to support Fisheries and Water Police in managing NT fisheries.”

This qualification is for people working at a local level in a support role to an agency or organisation that has legislated responsibility for the management of fisheries, both wild-catch and aquaculture.

“It is important to invest in the on-ground capacity of Indigenous ranger groups as they have the capacity to exponentially widen the reach of partner agencies,” Dominic said.

“This is a win for everyone; it supports people, the jobs they do and the NT community.”

Djelk rangers have been monitoring the coastline of their 6,700km² Indigenous Protected Area for more than 20 years and Dominic said they are looking to the long term capability of the ranger program. Beyond Certificate II, Djelk has its sights set on Certificate III where qualified rangers will have enforcement powers formally on par with national park rangers.