The Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) is a network of Indigenous Saltwater managers committed to improving best practice Indigenous-led, collaborative marine research and management across the Kimberley region of North-Western Australia. Indigenous Rangers are responsible for managing vast areas of Kimberley Sea Country via Indigenous Protected Areas and jointly managed marine parks, often in partnership with scientists and government agencies.
Too frequently there is a disconnect between “external” researchers’ priorities and expectations, and those of First Nations Sea Country managers.
In 2017, ISWAG and WAMSI produced the Collaborative Science on Kimberley Saltwater Country - A Guide for Researchers to promote best practice collaboration. Nine years later, we have reviewed these Guidelines and re-launched a more practical, user-friendly Guide and online Form. These tools aim to provide a clear, agreed process for how researchers and Indigenous partners should work together on Saltwater science projects in the Kimberley. Key concepts include two-way ownership, co-design, mutual benefits, data sovereignty, ongoing consent, capacity building and enduring relationships. structured approach aims to strengthen research quality as findings are more relevant and applied, data is enriched by multiple knowledge systems, and publications are better positioned for co-authorship, broad uptake and regional impact.
Kimberley Sea Country Managers welcome interested marine scientists to partner with us - we need your expertise! ISWAG hopes these tools will facilitate better experiences and outcomes for everyone involved, position First Nations Sea Country Managers as central-decision makers and deliver meaningful contributions to Saltwater management in the Kimberley.