Keep our Top End coast healthy. A lifestyle worth protecting.
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Thanks to the support of Territorians just like you, the NT has a comprehensive plan to protect our coasts. Now, it's time to get on with the job and implement this plan. With the NT election on August 22, we wrote to all the parties asking where they stand on safeguarding our coasts and fishing lifestyle, and asking them if they will implement and fund the Territory-wide Plan* to protect our coasts.
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Rhett Walker of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park shares his family's extraordinary story of survival growing up on the remote Gulf coast: "we didn't have any money so we lived off the land. We lived under a truck tarpaulin in the bush through the wet season and we managed just to survive. And through that process, we learnt to love the land". Rhett and his family manage and protect Lorella Springs - 4,000km2 of land and a 30km stretch of coast. Lorella is bigger than many countries in the world. Rhett has a dream to turn Lorella into a wilderness sanctuary.
Rhett Walker of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park shares his family's extraordinary story of survival growing up on the remote Gulf coast: "we didn't have any money so we lived off the land. We lived under a truck tarpaulin in the bush through the wet season and we managed just to survive. And through that process, we learnt to love the land". Rhett and his family manage and protect Lorella Springs - 4,000km2 of land and a 30km stretch of coast. Lorella is bigger than many countries in the world. Rhett has a dream to turn Lorella into a wilderness sanctuary.
"We have to look after our gapu; the sea. Together." - Sylvia Nulpinditj Yolŋu leader, a presenter for Yolngu Radio, and traditional artist. Sylvia provides but a snapshot into the depth and breadth of Yolŋu connection to country. And she has an important request to politicians in the NT election to respect seacountry.
"We have to look after our gapu; the sea. Together." - Sylvia Nulpinditj Yolŋu leader, a presenter for Yolngu Radio, and traditional artist. Sylvia provides but a snapshot into the depth and breadth of Yolŋu connection to country. And she has an important request to politicians in the NT election to respect seacountry.
Andrew Mansfield has 35 years experience in construction work in the NT. Like so many of us, Andrew has spent a lot of time on the Harbour fishing, diving and now outrig canoeing. Andrew has an important message: it doesn't really matter what side of politics you're on - if we're passionate about the ocean we need to ask questions about what the politicians are doing to look after Territory coasts.
Andrew Mansfield has 35 years experience in construction work in the NT. Like so many of us, Andrew has spent a lot of time on the Harbour fishing, diving and now outrig canoeing. Andrew has an important message: it doesn't really matter what side of politics you're on - if we're passionate about the ocean we need to ask questions about what the politicians are doing to look after Territory coasts.
“My concern is that the sea is getting higher and warmer, and we're losing all the coastal trees. That’s yakka mynmuk (no good)” - Rrawun Maymuru, Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation Ranger. The Dhimurru Rangers are on the frontline of land and sea management in north-east Arnhem Land, one of the country's most spectacular coastlines. But it is a big job. A small organisation strives to manage and protect 550,000 hectares of land and sea country on behalf of the Yolngu people.
“My concern is that the sea is getting higher and warmer, and we're losing all the coastal trees. That’s yakka mynmuk (no good)” - Rrawun Maymuru, Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation Ranger. The Dhimurru Rangers are on the frontline of land and sea management in north-east Arnhem Land, one of the country's most spectacular coastlines. But it is a big job. A small organisation strives to manage and protect 550,000 hectares of land and sea country on behalf of the Yolngu people.
"The Ranger Program taught me a lot about having the skills to be able to be out on Country and see the [environmental] changes that are happening". Jessica Puntoriero is an Environmental Science student at Charles Darwin University and a former Larrakia Nation Ranger. Jessica is passionate about Darwin Harbour and the biodiversity that calls it home.
"The Ranger Program taught me a lot about having the skills to be able to be out on Country and see the [environmental] changes that are happening". Jessica Puntoriero is an Environmental Science student at Charles Darwin University and a former Larrakia Nation Ranger. Jessica is passionate about Darwin Harbour and the biodiversity that calls it home.
“Turning 18 this year, that means I get to vote…I can vote for someone that will put our coastlines first and who will think about the importance of these beautiful habitats that we have”. Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs is a Yolngu woman from Yirrkala in North-East Arnhem Land who is passionate about her beautiful community and its coastlines. Siena doesn’t remember a time when the beaches of Yirrkala weren’t covered in plastic, and wants political parties to take this issue seriously.
“Turning 18 this year, that means I get to vote…I can vote for someone that will put our coastlines first and who will think about the importance of these beautiful habitats that we have”. Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs is a Yolngu woman from Yirrkala in North-East Arnhem Land who is passionate about her beautiful community and its coastlines. Siena doesn’t remember a time when the beaches of Yirrkala weren’t covered in plastic, and wants political parties to take this issue seriously.
An appeal from one of Australia's most remote Homelands, Bukudal in East Arnhem Land - "We live near the sea and we are very much connected to the sea... Protect the coast and keep it healthy and we stay healthy, and our culture stays strong, for the future."
An appeal from one of Australia's most remote Homelands, Bukudal in East Arnhem Land - "We live near the sea and we are very much connected to the sea... Protect the coast and keep it healthy and we stay healthy, and our culture stays strong, for the future."
"Pristine coastal lands, such a unique part of the Territory" - Helen Martin of Banubanu Beach Retreat at Bremer Island, East Arnhem Land.
"Pristine coastal lands, such a unique part of the Territory" - Helen Martin of Banubanu Beach Retreat at Bremer Island, East Arnhem Land.
"Coming home with those catches, and then preparing them and cooking them for friends and sharing the lifestyle of the Top End and integrating that love of the ocean and the waters and the mangroves, at the dinner table" - Rick Mooney.
"Coming home with those catches, and then preparing them and cooking them for friends and sharing the lifestyle of the Top End and integrating that love of the ocean and the waters and the mangroves, at the dinner table" - Rick Mooney.
Jim Smith from Sea Darwin has worked as a tourism operator in the NT for 12 years, bringing people to some of the Harbour’s most special places. Over the years, Jim has seen the health of our coastal environments decline. "Coral bleaching is becoming quite evident, sadly. Twelve years ago, very frequently, almost 50% of our operational time...we would see what they call megafauna…but now those sightings aren’t nearly as common” – Jim Smith.
Jim Smith from Sea Darwin has worked as a tourism operator in the NT for 12 years, bringing people to some of the Harbour’s most special places. Over the years, Jim has seen the health of our coastal environments decline. "Coral bleaching is becoming quite evident, sadly. Twelve years ago, very frequently, almost 50% of our operational time...we would see what they call megafauna…but now those sightings aren’t nearly as common” – Jim Smith.
Keep Top End Coasts Healthy and the Darwin Game Fishing Club have joined forces with Mix 104.9 to host a special event - the Feb Fit 2021 Beach Clean.
Registration is required here
Local events have been designed to help the community get active during the whole month of February. Mix 104.9’s Feb Fit challenge has set a goal for the local community to join together to walk around the globe - 40,000 kilometres, that's 50 million steps!
When: 9am START, Sunday 28th February.
Where: Meet at Darwin Trailer Boat Club, Fannie Bay. Then we will be walking and cleaning the coastal strip from Mindil Beach to East Point Reserve.
Together we can step outside, exercise and clean our beaches - what a great way to keep our coasts and our bodies healthy!
More information:
Mix 104.9 Feb Fit Challenge | Darwin Game Fishing Club | Keep Top End Coasts Healthy
