Land and Sea
Anindilyakwa Land & Sea Rangers manage an Indigenous Protected Area of 10,000 square kilometres of islands, reef and ocean in the azure waters of the Groote Archipelago. Rangers undertake management activities guided by their deep connection to traditional culture and combine that with the latest western science and technology across both the land and sea.
The Rangers on the Groote Archipelago play an extremely vital role in protecting the environmental, cultural and social values of the Archipelago and the people who live here. Rangers take guidance for their management activities from a Cultural Advisory Committee made up of respected Traditional Owners from the Archipelago.
Rangers’ activities and responsibilities are based around the seasons. Coming out of the wet season the Rangers spend much of their time clearing tracks to gain access to areas cut off in the wet. Managing weeds on the Islands, which are brought here from mainland Australia is also a high priority. Strict Quarantine and Biosecurity processes are in place and restrict the free movement of plants and animals to and from the Archipelago to help protect the values of the Groote Archipelago, including regular barge and freight inspections.
The Groote Archipelago is currently cane toad free and we intend to keep it that way! When the dry season comes people love to go camping, and it’s the Rangers responsibility to maintain access to these sites. Anindilyakwa Land & Sea Rangers are responsible for managing visitor access to recreation areas and do this through the Recreation Area permitting system.
With the cool nights and the mild days, the dry season is also a good time of year and allows Rangers access all over the Archipelago, with a high importance placed on monitoring our threatened species, such as the northern hopping mouse, masked owl and brush tailed rabbit rat. This is done through camera trapping and surveillance methods, so we don’t disturb these important creatures.
The dry season winds blow out of the south east, which brings marine debris washed up on the shores of Groote Eylandt, sometimes from thousands of kilometres away. Rangers are the driving force and collect several tonnes of marine debris each year to keep the beaches clean. Later in the year, leading up to the wet season, Rangers monitor fish species using underwater cameras, and turtle nesting activities to ensure that the four threatened species of turtle that nest here can continue to do so for many years to come.
This is only the tip of the ice berg for the Anindilyakwa Land & Sea Rangers. By providing training and employment opportunities through Commonwealth, State and Land Council funding, The Rangers are the perfect conduit and provide opportunities for Traditional Owners to pass on traditional ecological knowledge to younger generations.
One hundred and five people volunteered to comb 8 Mile Beach for the 2020 annual Clean Up Groote Eylandt Day. The ALC Rangers and ladies from the Anindilyakwa Art Centre sorted through the debris. The video content was led by ALC Media, Anindiyakwa Land & Sea Rangers and Anindilyakwa Arts staff as a joint venture for Clean up Groote Eylandt Day 2020. © 2020 Anindilyakwa Land Council
Land Access Permits
Depending on your purpose, you will require one or more permits to visit Groote Eylandt. Click on the link below for a complete list of permits available.
Land Closures
Click on the link for up to date information on current land closures.
Quarantine and Biosecurity
Quarantine and biosecurity across the Groote Archipelago is vitally important to help protect the pristine ecosystems and unique native flora and fauna from introduced pests and diseases.
Click on the link below for more information on bringing animals and plants to the Groote Archipelago, barge freight, and how we are keeping free of Cane Toads and invasive weeds.
Anindilyakwa Indigenous Protected Area
In 2006, the Anindilyakwa Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) was declared over Groote Eylandt, Bickerton Island and other islands in the archipelago. In 2016, traditional owners successfully extended the IPA to include approximately 7,000km2 of the surrounding sea country. The Anindilyakwa IPA now covers an area of approximately 10,000km2.
Conservation and Cultural Significance
Owing to its outstanding conservation value, the Groote Archipelago has been recognised by the Northern Territory Government as a site of International Conservation Significance.
Injured Wildlife
The Land and Sea Ranger team will do its best to help with injured wildlife. Please contact the office on (08) 8987 6703.
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