Begun in 2019, scientists and Woppaburra Traditional Custodians have worked together on Country for a better future for coral reefs and culture through the Woppaburra Coral Project.
Centered on the southern inshore Great Barrier Reef (Keppel Islands), near Yeppoon, in Woppaburra sea Country, the project has
In 2022, AIMS undertook its largest single science and engagement field event to date through the Woppaburra Coral Project.
Involving more than 80 people on vessels and Konomie (North Keppel) Island across different groups and organisations, the event:
Woppaburra are the Traditional Custodians of the Keppel Islands and the surrounding sea Country. Their descendants have actively maintained cultural connections and responsibilities to this land and sea Country despite their forced removal in 1902.
The Woppaburra Coral Project brought Traditional Custodians and scientists together for a better future for reefs and culture.
It is an exemplar of how western scientists can work together with Traditional Custodians, being featured in the 2023 Closing of the Gap report, conference plenary talks and scientific literature.
Three workshops with AIMS scientists and Woppaburra Traditional Custodians were held on Country. These provided a respectful space for cultural and scientific knowledge exchanges through two-way sharing.
Working together on the Woppaburra Coral Project has led to:
The Woppaburra Coral Project was the first research project to implement AIMS’ Indigenous Partnership Plan, achieving genuine marine science partnerships with Traditional Owners. It has paved the way for other Indigenous partnerships across the Institute.
The Woppaburra Coral Project proudly supported the training of the next generation of aquaculture restoration practitioners and scientists.
Two Indigenous trainees received formal qualifications through the Project, working with the scientists and Traditional Custodians to learn and share knowledge about aquaculture techniques and their Sea Country.
The training formed part of AIMS’ inaugural aquaculture trainee program, an important element of AIMS’ Indigenous Partnerships Plan. Four postgraduate science students contributed to the Project, with their research providing key information to both the project and restoration science.
30 March 2023
AIMS aquaculture trainee and Woppaburra woman Jamiga-Marie Cummins returned to sea Country for coral spawning as part of the Woppaburra Coral Project.
12 May 2023
Four Indigenous aquaculture trainees have successfully completed an inaugural two-year training course and are now expanding their skills with work placements at AIMS’ Townsville headquarters.
AIMS scientists inspired the next generation of scientist during the Project, speaking to more than 960 school students during field research at the Konomie Environmental Education Centre.
The Woppaburra Coral Project involved partners and participants from national and international organisations. Local businesses in the Yepoon and Keppel Island region provided key services to the Project and team.
Project and science partners include:
The Woppaburra Coral Project has featured on local, national and international media outlets, including CNN, Associated Press and ABC.
Stories from ACRRI can be viewed on our YouTube channel playlist.
Follow Woppaburra Coral Project stories on AIMS’ social media channels using #ACRRI.
Bleaching can suppress reproduction in a common coral species found in the Great Barrier Reef, hampering future reef replenishment.
The cacophony of sounds made by marine wildlife at coral reefs are being investigated at Lizard Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef this summer in the hopes of boosting reef recovery and resilience.
Four Indigenous aquaculture trainees who have been honing their skills at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have successfully completed an inaugural two-year training course and are now expanding their skills with work placements at the Townsville headquarters.
AIMS aquaculture trainee and Woppaburra woman Jamiga-Marie Cummins returned to sea Country for coral spawning as part of the Woppaburra Coral Project.
New research has found corals in the Keppel Islands of the southern Great Barrier Reef survived and recovered from a severe bleaching event in 2020, indicating the high resilience of corals in the region.
