Gulf Coast - Northern Gulf NRM Plan

About the Gulf Coast

The Gulf of Carpentaria is a shallow-water tropical sea containing varied and dynamic marine and estuarine habitats, such as mangrove communities and patches of coral reef and seagrass beds which are nursery habitats for commercial fisheries species and internationally significant marine biodiversity. The adjoining coastal area contains high conservation value coastal wetlands which support abundant birdlife, and extensive salt pans which are now being recognised for their unique ecological significance.
The Gulf Coast has a very high Indigenous population, including three tribes which converge on Normanton, and six tribes which converge on Kowanyama. There are two well established and highly respected Land and Sea Ranger groups, which are the primary delivery mechanism for on ground NRM along the coast. The town of Karumba is the focal point of a thriving tourist economy based on recreational fishing and a port which supports Gulf fisheries and the live export trade.

Read NRM Assessment

Our Goals

VISION

The health and resilience of the Carpentaria coastline and the south-east Gulf of Carpentaria marine environment is maintained, and biodiversity is teeming and flourishing. Fish stocks are abundant and diverse and support Indigenous, recreational and commercial fishing sectors into the future, managed through collaborative arrangements which accommodate all users of the natural resource while maintaining the ecological and cultural integrity of the environment.

INDIGENOUS RANGER PROGRAMS

Provide support when enlisted to Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger programs that are based out of Kowanyama and Normanton, for their on ground works programs controlling weeds and pests along the coast, conserving and monitoring biodiversity, and maintaining cultural and ecological assets.

3.1.1Support the continuation and expansion of the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger marine debris collection and monitoring program on shorelines and beaches, strategically targeting areas of higher modelled risk such as Karumba north.

In the Gulf Coast, the lead agencies for on ground NRM delivery are two highly successful and well established Indigenous ranger program out of Normanton and Kowanyama. NGRMG sees itself as a support agency to these programs, who are the primary drivers of NRM investment along the Gulf coast.

This action represents an ongoing commitment to continue the work of Ghostnets Australia in partnership with Normanton and Kowanyama rangers to collect discarded fishing nets.

Support Land and Sea Ranger programs to develop ranger-delivered environmental and cultural education/interpretation modules for tourists and residents to facilitate greater dissemination of cultural/environmental awareness to visitors and residents.

This action recognizes the potential to develop more cultural tourism opportunities, taking advantage of both the Indigenous cultural values on the Gulf Coast and the high levels of tourists annually, who can support these initiatives. NGRMG provides in principle support to these activities and where enlisted will attempt to provide additional capacity to their expansion and establishment. The tag-along tours on Delta Downs station provided an excellent example of this.

Support Land and Sea Ranger programs, Carpentaria Shire Council and coastal landholders, through providing mapping support, including GIS remote sensing and field based infestation mapping of weeds, prioritising:

Rubber Vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) in the south east Gulf coastal zone to support strategic control and monitoring of existing management effectiveness;
Olive Hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) in the key locations, especially around Normanton, to reduce the risk of spread further into the Gulf plains;
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), particularly in the Smithburne River and Kowanyama as a matter of urgency;
Annually monitor beds, banks and floodplains of major river systems for new and emerging weed pests washed down from the east.

Investigate the possibility of a ghost crab pot removal program from waters adjoining Karumba, with the involvement of fisheries enforcement officers and Land and Sea Rangers

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

The three sectors competing for the same fisheries resource (recreational, commercial, Indigenous) within the south-east Gulf of Carpentaria marine environment and estuaries collaborate towards a sustainable management framework which accommodate the needs of all, while developing an evidence base to verify the condition of the fishery and understand the drivers of change in dynamic coastal and marine environments.

Initiate and seek co-funding for the coordination of a community based, deliberative review of fisheries in the south east Gulf of Carpentaria that represents the Indigenous, recreational and commercial fishing sectors.

The Gulf fisheries have recently been subject of the MRAG review by the Australian government. NGRMG seeks to build on this foundation through a deliberative stakeholder engagement process focused on the coastal, estuarine and marine environs in direct proximity of the Norman river. This process would identify the types of management initiatives the community and competing sectors wish to see emerge in the Gulf and canvas stakeholder groups to support their implementation by Government – e.g. Output controls, quotas, seasonal / area closures / greater surveillance. Government support for this process will be essential for its success.

Review the condition of the fisheries through:

Collation of datasets on key species of the inshore fishery, javelin grunter, barramundi and mud crabs, from previous surveys, species specific studies and log book data;
Traditional fisher survey programs to quantify the annual and seasonal take by Gulf Coastal Indigenous communities;
A cost-benefit analysis of economic and community costs and benefits of both recreation and commercial fishing to both Karumba and the greater Northern Gulf Region.

Desktop assessment of evidence base and existing datasets on fishery condition;
Support researchers and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to survey and assess the size of the Indigenous take;
Seek funding to commission cost benefit analysis of recreational and commercial fishing industries;
Work closely with WCTTAA to ensure consistency with monitoring data collection and collaboration in sharing knowledge.

Create a benchmark for a sustainable fishery which utilises all information to create a model that will give a foundation for real discussions and agreement on what constitutes good management. On the basis of this consensus between sectors, move towards policy and legislative changes, conservation and sanctuary zones or commercial license buy-backs (subject to full compensation) in targeted areas in the Norman River delta and near-coastal marine environment.

A sustainable benchmark or alternatively a ‘best practice model’ for fisheries management is required which has buying and support from all sectors. This BMP model could be created by an expert fisheries reviewer / consultant and then taken to the community for endorsement – that may provide a more direct and less resource intensive approach that a full community review process which is primarily the job of government.

Commercial buy backs may be the result of this deliberation or other solutions may emerge through discussions and the process.

ANGLER EDUCATION

Educate recreational anglers in Karumba and Normanton by promoting sustainable fishing practices and communicating fishing regulations while working alongside tourism operators.

Collaborate with local coastal communities and visiting anglers to provide accessible information in the form of boat ramp signage, brochures and tailored communications to visiting anglers concerning fishing regulations, appropriate angler behavior and the vulnerabilities of certain species.

Engage the local community and fishery agencies to establish a ‘Fishcare’ volunteer group or to adopt initiatives such as those developed by OZfish (community based habitat fish restoration), including the long-term resident population of Karumba caravan parks during the tourist season.

Enhanced surveillance of existing regulations is a key need. Fishcare groups and land and sea rangers could provide the capacity to fulfill surveillance role could improve fisher behavior, to support limited enforcement capacity in the area.

OZfish is a community initiative which engages anglers in restoring essential fish habitat, thus actively conserving the resource that provides the basis on their recreational pursuits.

Develop a ‘Coastal Savanna Knowledge’ hub to present interpretive information to educate visitors and residents about the key ecological characteristics, values and climate vulnerabilities of the Gulf coastal and marine environment as a basis for imparting greater commitment to ecologically sustainability in local businesses and visitor behaviour.

Develop a communications package distilling key NRM messages about the coastal savanna country of the Northern Gulf, for visitors to the region;
Develop a suite of web based and hard copy (posters and handouts) communications to reinforce these messages;
Contribute display materials to each of the visitors centres and tourist facilities of the Gulf coast in Karumba and Normanton;
Develop a regionally specific, environmental awareness “mirco-documentary” series for display in tourist facilities and online across the region.

Adopt the Large Tooth (freshwater) Sawfish (Pristis pristis) as an ambassadorial threatened aquatic species to:

Promote recreational fisher awareness of potential bycatch impacts;
Develop interpretive signage regarding the risks of recreational bycatch on sawfish species at popular recreational fishing areas within sawfish habitat

Given this status the species is a prime contender for receiving funding from government threatened species program sources. Threats affecting freshwater sawfish are also experienced by other aquatic species and therefore the sawfish can provide an ‘Ambassadorial’ role in that actions targeting its management also serve other species and the broader aquatic ecosystem. Adoption and promotion of the Freshwater Sawfish Pristis pristis, in an ambassadorial role provides an impetus for implementing a suite of targeted management action projects required to address the sawfish and other aquatic species conservation management needs.

COASTAL WETLANDS

Collaboration occurs between key stakeholders to maintain and enhance the environmental values of internationally significant coastal wetlands, by supporting monitoring of impacts and on ground works to build their resilience to climate change.

Collect information towards the preservation of the habitat of the coastal zone’s shore birds and migratory sea birds through the following:

Lobby government and relevant agencies to include coastal wetlands of the south east Gulf coast on the Wetlands of International significance register, thus elevating their conservation status;
Encourage bird watchers, Indigenous ranger groups and local people to monitor and record bird sightings and numbers;
Collaborate with researchers and students to collect new data & monitor on internationally significant migratory wader bird habitat and numbers.

Collaborate with Carpentaria Shire Council and Land and Sea Rangers to improve the habitat values and cultural, nature based tourism opportunities of the Mutton Hole Wetlands Reserve.

Immediately across the Norman River from Normanton an extensive section of floodplain, known as Mutton Hole Wetlands, has been set aside as a Conservation Area.
NGRMG developed a management plan for the Mutton Hole wetlands in partnership with Carpentaria Shire Council, and now seeks to support Council aspirations to provide cultural and ecological tourism and interpretation opportunities associated with the reserve, as well as conservation works consistent with the Management Plan.

Contribute to the integrity of coastal wetlands by:

Supporting Land and Sea Ranger Programs engagement in delivery of appropriate fire regime outcomes for WARE (Wetland Associated Regional Ecosystems) in Protected Areas, Local Government Reserves and on selected private lands.
Engaging coastal pastoral land managers and Land and Sea Rangers in a ‘participatory learning’ based implementation of the Simple Wetland Assessment Monitoring Proforma (SWAMP) photo point based monitoring system for coastal wetland condition (Tait 2005) targeting DIWA wetlands stratified across properties in the Gulf coastal zone

Only a few pastoral landholders and government conservation agencies have the capacity to deliver landscape scale fire regime management outcomes, the latter with limited capacity within the Northern Gulf. In contrast many Land and Sea Ranger programs have developed a controlled burning management capacity and/or have aspirations of expanding their regional fire regime management role. Building Land and Sea Ranger program capacity to deliver controlled burns and facilitating government and landholder support for their engagement in delivery of controlled burns, provides a means to increase regional capacity to appropriate manage WARE fire regimes.
Prepare web accessible technical brochure on appropriate fire regime guidelines for riparian and wetland vegetation communities drawing on material produced for the Gulf Savannah (CLC 2012) and contained within the Regional Ecosystem Description Database. Include Fire Regime in Management Planning of all Demonstration Sites involving WARE.

Research Priorities

Support a research based risk assessment of turtle nesting beaches within the Coastal Gulf, examining potential impacts of sea level rise and elevated temperatures on persistence and availability of nesting beach habitat, sex ratios of hatchlings and opportunities for mitigative management.

Support a dedicated survey for Speartooth and Northern River Sharks within suitable habitat areas of the south east Gulf of Carpentaria, particularly estuarine systems on perennial rivers i.e. the Mitchell estuarine systems.

Facilitate the establishment of a multi-partner working group to develop a Gulf coastal zone marine ecosystem monitoring program involving state and commonwealth agencies (including GBRMPA expertise), research organisations and community, corporate and government marine resource monitoring providers. The group to focus initially on examining risks posed to key ecological features by basin sediment and contaminant loads, flood plumes, extreme weather events and sea level rise.

Support the conduction of fishery independent stock assessment for key fishery species within the coastal Gulf, with an initial focus on the recreational fishery flagship species, javelin grunter.

Investigate a carbon project and whether carbon credits can be generated through restoring degraded areas. Do this by further investigation and quantification of the benefits of saltmarsh areas, mangroves and seagrass beds for climate change mitigation (blue carbon), through sequestration and storage of carbon in sediments.

The extent of the water hyacinth invasion of the Smithburne River catchment needs to be determined and a control program implemented as a matter of urgency.

Improve understanding of flow-based cues for the movement of fishery associated species. Consult with relevant stakeholders (including recreational and commercial fishing organisations) and state government agencies (DAF FQ, DNRM) to secure resources or commitments to engage fishery research providers. Establish research programs examining the linkages between river flow events and the migration and reproductive biology of fishery associated fish and crustacean species.

Survey for other threatened elasmobranch species. Support a dedicated survey for Speartooth and Northern River Sharks within suitable habitat areas of the south east Gulf planning area, particularly lower fresh and estuarine systems on perennial rivers i.e. the lower Mitchell.

Develop a prioritisation framework to determine areas for future freshwater surveys (fish and macro invertebrate), collecting high resolution native fish baseline community data in areas where tilapia may expand to for future reference and comparison. Investigate new technologies in freshwater vertebrate sampling techniques such as environmental DNA.

Support the establishment of a participatory action research program into the biology and ecology of the recreational fishery flagship species javelin grunter, to understand better the dynamics between fish and anglers and to generate awareness and ownership of the issue by Karumba anglers.

Develop and implement an integrated field and remote sensing based seagrass monitoring program, combined with a “seagrass watch” program with the support of Land and Sea Rangers, to update and improve definition of seagrass extent and condition within the coastal Gulf and to monitor its responses to inter-annual climatic events.

Support researchers to develop and compare effective survey methods (including eDNA, hydro-acoustics, gill netting and targeted angling) for freshwater sawfish in freshwater habitats of Gulf rivers. Conduct targeted surveys of large perennial waterholes stratified across Gulf river basins including those affected by passage barriers.

Determine the extent of seawater intrusion resulting from excessive groundwater use.

Determine the extent of and disturbance caused by acid sulfate soils along the Gulf coast.

Determine & verify the value, extent and international significance of the Gulf coast for migratory wader birds. Review old data that has been re-hashed and re-published over the years and update with recent wader/shorebird/migratory species surveys to understand trends, particularly in light of climate change impacts on wader bird abundance and distribution.

Support an integrated research effort to draw together all existing knowledge and to undertake further research on the numbers and ecological requirements of waterbirds that breed in colonies in the Gulf Plains region, in order to develop critical baseline data in the face of proposed irrigated agriculture development in the Gilbert and Mitchell Rivers. This is particularly relevant as recent research has pointed to rainfall and river flow regimes as determinants of breeding activity.

About the Gulf Coast

Read NRM Assessment

Our Goals

Thank you