Bardi Jawi Indigenous Protect Area (IPA) is rich in biodiversity. It features a mosaic of habitats, such as tidal pools, mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.
AIMS co-designed a monitoring program with the Bardi Jawi Rangers, merging the expertise of our coral reef and fish monitoring scientists with Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
The Rangers received training in different monitoring techniques and technologies, including baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), which are a common fish-surveying tool. The diver-less method allows for long-term records of fish communities at each location.
BRUVS are also the safest sampling method in the area because of the abundance of saltwater crocs and the large swings between high and low tide, which creates strong currents.
The Rangers are monitoring culturally important fish to better inform sea Country management.
Learn more: https://www.aims.gov.au/information-centre/news-and-stories/unravelling-monitoring-trends-sea-country-management
This research is part of the Northern Australian Marine Monitoring Alliance (NAMMA) and is a partnership with Bardi Jawi Rangers and Traditional Owners, and the Kimberley Land Council.
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