Warruwi Fisheries &
Aquaculture Knowledge Partnership Project​
About the project....
The Darwin Aquaculture Centre have been looking at the viability of aquacultre projects at Warruwi since 2009. The focus has been on sea cucumber (Holothurian sp., also known as trepang or beche-de-mer), black lipped oysters and giant clams. This research has collected scientific data such as how fast each species grows, and how to commercially produce each species in the context of Warruwi's natural environment.
The Warruwi Fisheries and Aquaculture Knowledge Partnership Project started in 2012, with the aim of collating Traditional Ecological Knowledge on each species and preparing fisheries and aquaculture communication and education materials which drew on Arrakpi (Indigenous) and Western knowledge systems. It was also an opportunity to foster a closer working relationship between the Darwin Aquaculture Centre and the Warruwi community, by better documenting the aspirations of community members in relation to various aquaculture projects.
The Aquaculture Knowledge Partnership Project was initiated by the Darwin Aquaculture Centre, with funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). Researchers at The Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University (CDU) were engaged to undertake collaborative work with community residents to document Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) about the target aquaculture species. This built on earlier research undertaken by the Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods at CDU, which sought to 'improve understandings of local, Indigenous people’s dependency on marine resources, and of their perspectives on climate change, and aquaculture as a means towards adapting to climate change' (Petheram et al 2013).
On 16 November 2011, the Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) was formed. One of YAC's main goals is 'to foster business opportunities and to promte economic independence'. YAC will be the host organsiation for future aquaculture projects on Goulburn Island, as well as other projects such as the Knowledge Partnership Project and the Warruwi Women's Healthy Tucker Program. Key materials generated collaboratively by YAC and CDU researchers through the Knowledge Partnership Project include a sea farming seasonal calendar, maps, good eating cues and identification of the life cycles of sea farmed animals. Some of these materials can be viewed on the 'Projects' tab of this website.
About the research team....
Charles Darwin University members of the research team are Dr Ann Fleming, Dr Linda Ford, Professor Karen Gibb, Julia Fortune, Dr Jackie Gould, John Prior and Trevor Van Werin. The Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation is a partner of the research project and the core YAC members involved in the project include Jenny Inmulugulu, Johnny Namayiwa, Bunug Galaminda, Jenny Manmurulu, Rupert Manmurulu (Chairperson), Nancy Ngalmindjalmag, Maurice Gawayaku, Ann Perry and Wayne Tupper (Acting Manager/Coordinator for YAC).
Dr Ford and Dr Fleming worked with YAC and the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of Warruwi to prepare fisheries and acquaculture communication and educaton materials that draw on local knowledge systems, language and past fishing experiences.
Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation wants to create a future for its community, small business operations and real jobs for the Arrakpi living at Goulburn Island. Enterprises based on fisheries and aquaculture have been chosen by the community because they allow business opportunities to be developed for the community, whilst respecting history, culture and country.
For more on Yagbani, check out their website or Facebook page.
Jenny Inmulugulu
Hi, I'm Jenny Inmulugulu a senior Traditional Owner of Warruwi. I am from the Yallama clan, Dua moiety, Ngalngarrij skin. I'm a Director of YAC, a Board Member of the Aboriginal
Areas Protection Authority, and a Regional Council Member of the Northern Land Council. My first language is Maung. I also understand other west Arnhem Land languages, including Iwaidja, Gunwingu and Walang.
I see commercial trepang harvesters walking around on my country, picking up trepang. And I think ‘we should be doing that one, not balanda’. That was my vision. I saw old people were doing that, collecting trepang, oyster, crocodile skin. And when I look at my grandchildren, I think ‘I’d like to see them doing that, like the old people’.
Barbara Golder
Hi, I’m Barbara Golder. I’m Aranda tribe, from the Centre. I’ve lived at Warruwi since 1973. My husband is a senior Traditional Owner for Warruwi, Johnny Namayiwa. I’m a Director for the Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation. Economic development is important for our kids and young people. We are steering it for our young people to get involved, in the running of the Corporation.
Nancy Ngalmindjalmag
Hi! I'm Nancy. I'm a linguist, working with Ruth Singer and Isabel O'Keeffe, and and interpreter. I'm working with the Women's Healthy Tucker Team, and am a Director for the Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation.
Rupert Manmurulu
Hi, I'm Rupert Manmurulu. I am the Chairperson for YAC. Yagbani and aquaculture are important for the community. We want to see everyone working, it's important for the future. I've lived at Warruwi my whole life. I grew up here. My country is on Rose Point, Warmali, on the mainland near Goulburn Island. My main language is Maung, I speak Gunwingu as well. English is my third language. I'm a performer and an artist. I know a lot of the traditional songs that are used in important ceremonies. I sing my own traditional songs and I play the didgeridoo as well.
Maurice Gawakayu
I'm Maurice. I work with Fisheries on the trepang, clam and oyster research. When they come out, I show them the good places to go. They teach me how to to the research. I supervise the Yagbani fisheries and aquaculture team. We go out and get fish, to provide the community with healthy tucker. We sell it through the shop, and hopefully we will be selling it in Darwin soon too. We are trying new ways to use the nets to catch fish. I'm also a Director at Yagbani. I'm a traditional owner for the community, from the Yallama clan. It's really good to see aquaculture, fisheries and Yagbani all moving forward - it is good that the kids can see us doing it. I'm really proud of all the work we've done.
Johnny Namayiwa
Hi, I’m Johhny Namayiwa and I’m a senior Traditional Owner for the Yallama clan and South Goulburn Island. I am a leader for Warruwi. I am from the Maung tribe, and Maung is my language. I’m a member on the West Arnhem Shire Council. I am helping Yagbani start and grow strong, so our young people can come up and take over. Yagbani is a good thing. It will create jobs for our young people and get our power back, which was taken away during the Intervention.
Jenny Manmurulu
My name is Jenny Manmurulu. I was born in Darwin, and came back to Warruwi when I was a baby. I went to school in Darwin from primary school to high school. I left school at year 10. I got married to Mr. Manmarulu at the Warruwi Church. I’ve worked a couple of different jobs: Warruwi housing, secretary/community advisor. I started as an
assistant teacher and home liaison officer in 2001, almost 14 years ago. I’m now the school’s Senior Cultural Advisor. I’m a part time student, studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary). I started in 2009 and am expecting to graduate soon! I raised my three sons, 2 nephews and one niece – 6 kids!
I am a member of the Women’s Knowledge Partnership Program, the Women’s Healthy Tucker Program and a Director of Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation. I’m also a board member of the National Recording Project. I presented and performed on behalf of the Warruwi Aquaculture Project at the AIATSIS Conference and at FRDC, in Canberra in 2014.
I am a senior dancing instructor for Inyjalarrku ceremony and a senior performer. I speak Maung most of the time, but also Gunbalang, Gunwinggu and English. My tribe is Gunwinggu.
When Yagbani started we all wanted to get it up and going. When Uncle Bunug said we have to get our own business started we all supported that idea for our children’s future. We’ve looked back on the work our old people did when the missionaries were here and now we have this model for WAC to take control over of things in our own community. This makes me feel really strong. There is more communication between use and people that come to Warruwi to work for us. I do a lot of cross cultural work – translation and interpretation of languages. I did a translation course in Alice Springs with linguist Jenny Green.
Renfred Manmurulu
I'm Rupert Manmurulu. I am the Chairperson for YAC. I am learning from my father to look after our songs for our country. These are important for Arrakpi culture, language and beliefs. start adding your own content and make changes to the font.
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