Eight years after implementing the Indigenous Partnerships Policy at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), we reflect on progress made and lessons learned in our mission to strengthen relationships with Traditional Owners of northern Australia’s sea Country, and amplify their knowledge in sea Country science and stewardship. Across our expansive research portfolio, AIMS has implemented an institutional framework to seek Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for projects.
The AIMS approach is unique, and existing frameworks for executing FPIC in marine research are limited and rarely applied elsewhere. Bespoke FPIC procedures are required to account for the diversity of Traditional Owner groups around Australia and differing engagement protocol preferences. We share learnings from navigating FPIC, proposing strategies to overcome common pitfalls.
Looking beyond FPIC, we discuss tools and frameworks used to facilitate meaningful co-designed projects and support Indigenous leadership and equity in marine science, including procedures to safeguard Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) in ways Intellectual Property law cannot. Ultimately, we aim to create spaces that elevate Indigenous Peoples as the first marine scientists, ensuring the best possible outcomes for tropical marine environments including coral reefs and the communities who care for them.