First Sea Country IPA in Australia

The First Sea Country IPA - Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra Indigenous Protected Area

Karajarri Traditional Lands Association (KTL) has successfully created the Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) - the first Sea Country IPA. Congratulations to the Karajarri Traditional Owners, Rangers and everyone else who made this mission a reality.

The Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra IPA (Jurarr - Sea; Ngurra - Country) spans 237,489 hectares is in Western Australia, and is one of only 10 which received the first Sea Country IPA federal funding back in 2021. Karajarri Country is rich in geographical and biological diversity including intertidal and subtidal reefs, mangrove systems, lagoons and tidal creeks. It includes an important dugong sanctuary and vital habitat for around 450,000 birds.

Karajarri people see the plants and animals, as well as the water and the Country itself as Wankayi (alive), and view their environmental responsibilities as ‘palanapayana tukjana ngurra’ - ‘everybody looking after Country properly’.

Congratulations to Karajarri TOs and Rangers for their successful launch of their new Karrajarri Jurarr Ngurra IPA.

You can read more about the Karajarri Indigenous Protected Area here.

Banner Image: Karajarri Country. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

KEY POINTS

The Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is Australia's first Sea Country IPA.
This is one of 10 which received federal funding in 2021.
The Karajarri Sea Country IPA spans 237,489 hectares and includes important habitat for birds, plants, aquatic mammals and more.

Indigenous protected areas Sea Country IPA IPA Karajarri

Country Needs People is a national not-for-profit organisation born from the support of hundreds of Traditional Owners around the country.

We pay our respects to all the First Nations people around Australia and their unbroken commitment to keep Country strong on land and sea. We acknowledge Indigenous partners, Traditional Owners, Elders past, present and emerging and extend our appreciation of their support and guidance of our daily work.