500 delegates from across Australia are expected to attend the inaugural Australian Sea Country Conference in Darwin from 24 - 26 September 2024.
Taking place on Larrakia Country at the Darwin Convention Centre overlooking the Darwin Harbour, conference hosts, the Aboriginal Sea Company (ASC), will lead discussions on the establishment of a First Nations peak body to represent interests in national sea country-related matters.
ASC chief executive Robert 'Bo' Carne noted on Thursday that while Australia currently has national peak bodies representing seafood industry, recreational fishers and environmental interests in sea country, "there is nothing in place for First Nations".
"This conference presents an opportunity to have greater consistency in the recognition of Native Title Rights and relevant legislation regulated by States and Territories," he said.
ASC has sent invitations to national stakeholders— First Nations and advocates, leaders in program design, Government, industry policy officers, resource managers and decision makers to "join the tide of change" and co-design cross cultural legislation and regulation on matters relating to the protection and exploitation of Australia's sea country.
Delegates are expected to arrive in Darwin from across Australia, with New Zealand representatives scheduled to join panel discussions on pragmatic sustainable development.
State and Federal Ministers have been asked to join heads of First Nations corporations, scientists, and industry to respond to questions posed by the organisers on creating solutions to climate change, reducing environmental impacts while building an economy; and how to balance resource access rights and resource protection conflicts.
"By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, we aspire to contribute to a future where First Nations governance models, traditional knowledge, and leadership are central to shaping Australia's marine environment," Mr Carne said.
ASC said "knowledge sharing, First Nations perspectives, and challenging today to create tomorrow" are the guiding themes of conversations, workshops and plenary sessions of the three-day conference.
Various levels of partnership opportunities are available, and abstract submissions and conference registrations to the full day and evening programs are open.
The Aboriginal Sea Company was established in 2022 and is governed by a board comprising equal representation from the three Northern Territory Land Councils with traditional ownership (85%) of the NT's sea country – Northern Land Council, Tiwi Land Council and Anindilyakwa Land Council.
The ASC's key function is to secure Aboriginal Traditional Owners and their communities opportunities to grow First Nations-controlled marine and seafood industry related businesses, including training, employment and small-scale enterprise development.
The Conference is hosted by the Aboriginal Sea Company and coordinated by Agentur Professional Conferences & Events with the support of NT Business Events.
