Standard Presentation Australian Marine Sciences Association 2026 Conference

Respectful Data Sharing in Practice: Advancing Indigenous Data Sorvereignty in Marine Animal Tracking (139579)

Carmela de Benito-Abelló 1 2 , Lloyd Pigram 3 , Dean Mathews 4 , Jason Richardson 5 , Jaz Cook 5 , Rochelle Steven 2 6 , Jenna L Hounslow 1 2 , Michael Hughes 2 , Halina Kobryn 2 , Christophe Cleguer 7 , Kelly Waples 8 , Sabrina Fossette-Halot 8 , Adrian C Gleiss 1 2
  1. Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
  3. Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA), Broome, WA, Australia
  4. Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Broome, WA, Australia
  5. Yawuru Joint Management Body, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Broome, WA, Australia
  6. School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
  7. Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  8. Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Kensington, WA, Australia

Indigenous Knowledge, grounded in long-standing relationships with land and sea, provides essential insights for understanding and managing marine ecosystems. When meaningfully connected with Western science, it can support more holistic and equitable approaches to marine park co-management. However, differences in worldviews and values influence how knowledge is shared, interpreted, and governed. As part of the Yagarrajalajalan Nagula Buru: We all care for saltwater Country project, we partnered with Yawuru Traditional Owners in Broome, Western Australia, to embed cultural priorities within research design and implementation. Focusing on culturally significant marine species (e.g., turtles and dugongs), we used animal tracking data that could reveal culturally sensitive areas, raising key questions around data access, ownership, and appropriate sharing in line with Indigenous data sovereignty. Through a co-designed workshop and group discussions, Yawuru knowledge holders explored how different tracking data visualisations (e.g. point locations, aggregated use areas, and varying levels of detail) are perceived, identifying associated risks, benefits, and appropriate contexts for sharing. This work contributes to the development of culturally responsive guidelines for data sharing that support Yawuru decision-making while enhancing genuine engagement with management and scientific audiences, advancing respectful, co-developed approaches to caring for Country.