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Editors --- "The National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity - Digest" [1996] AUIndigLawRpr 80; (1996) 1(4) Australian Indigenous Law Reporter 745

The National Strategy For The Conservation Of Australia's Biological Diversity

The National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity was adopted by the Prime Minister and the Premiers and Chief Ministers of the States and Territories in early 1996. The strategy aims to bridge the gap between current efforts and the effective identification, conservation and management of Australia's biological diversity. The strategy contains the following section on Biological Diversity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:

1.8 Biological Diversity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Objective 1.8

Recognise and ensure the continuity of the contribution of the ethnobiological knowledge of Australia's indigenous peoples to the conservation of Australia's biological diversity.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interests

As a consequence of their long history in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have developed a special knowledge of biological diversity and have a particular interest in the conservation status of indigenous species and environments. Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law and cosmology establishes intimate connections between people, land and other species, with ritual, custodial and management responsibilities for the land and other species being passed down through generations. These traditional approaches and outlooks persist in many parts of Australia; in other areas, despite the historical undermining of indigenous structures, contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures maintain a lively interest in, practical knowledge of, and concern for the well being of the land and natural systems. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may be willing to share some of their cultural knowledge, aspects of that knowledge and may be privileged and may not be available to the public domain. Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander management practices have proved important for the maintenance of biological diversity and their integration into current management programs should be pursued where appropriate. The maintenance of biological diversity on lands and waters over which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have title or in which they have an interest is a cornerstone of the well being, identity, cultural heritage and economy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Actions

1.8.1 Access to information

Provides resources for the conservation of traditional biological knowledge through cooperative ethnobiological programs.

Provide access to accurate information about biological diversity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and involve them in research programs relevant to the biological diversity and management of lands and waters in which they have an interest.

1.8.2 Use and benefits of traditional biological knowledge

Ensure that the use of traditional biological knowledge in the scientific, commercial and public domains proceeds only with the cooperation and control of the traditional owners of that knowledge and ensure that the use and collection of such knowledge results in social and economic benefits to the traditional owners. This will include:

(a) encouraging and supporting the development and use of collaborative agreements safeguarding the use of traditional knowledge of biological diversity, taking into account existing intellectual property rights;

(b) establishing a royalty payments systems from commercial development of products resulting, at least in part, from the use of traditional knowledge.

Such arrangements should take into account relevant work in international forums such as the United Nations Commission on Human Rights; they should also take into account Australian obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

1.8.3 Species recovery plans

Provide resources for the establishment of cooperative species recovery plans for endangered and vulnerable species of particular significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

1.8.4 Cooperative arrangements

Recognising that a representative reserve and off-reserve system to conserve biological diversity will extend across the boundaries of Aboriginal and other tenure systems, negotiate cooperative arrangements for conservation management that recognise traditional land tenure and land management regimes.

1.8.5 Sustainable harvesting of wildlife

Recognising the importance of harvesting of indigenous plant and animal species, both on land and in water, to the well being, identity, cultural heritage and economy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, provide assistance for the establishment of management programs for ecologically sustainable harvesting of wildlife by individual communities.

1.8.6 Ethnobiological education

Ensure that curricula at all levels in Australia promote an understanding of the importance of traditional knowledge and the social and economic benefits of ethnobiology. This will include:

(a) an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practices that have been instrumental in shaping the biological resources of Australia;

(b) an appreciation of the cultural heritage of biological knowledge in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.