PRESS RELEASES

AUSTRALIA GIVING AWAY SACRED SITES & FISH STOCKS

"Australia is giving away Australian indigenous peoples' sacred sites and fish stocks to Indonesia," Mr Terry Yumbulul, spokesperson for the steering committee representing the 6,000 indigenous people of North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, said today.

Mr Yumbulul was reacting to the announcement last Friday by Foreign Minister Downer of a pending final agreement with the Federal Republic of Indonesia about the maritime boundary between the two countries.

"Unlike most Australians, we live less than 80 miles from the waters Australia is in the process of giving over to Indonesia. And we have lived here for thousands of years, nurtured by the sea; our source of food and home to our sacred sites.

"Since 1993 we have been telling the Australian Government of our concerns about sacred sites which lie to the north of Australia's EEZ, and the affects of overfishing in these waters on Australian fish stocks, in the hope that they would help us work with them and the Indonesian government to overcome these problems," Mr Yumbulul said.

"The Australian Government's enthusiasm to concluded these negotiations seems to have more to do with Australia's Prime Minister Howard's planned visit to Jakarta than the good stewardship of our precious natural and cultural resources.

"The Foreign Minister's press release made no reference to discussions or agreements with Indonesia about protecting indigenous Australian's interests in the Arafura Sea, which we call Manbuynga ga Rulyapa. A spokesperson for the Minister was even quoted in The Weekend Australian of 14-15 September as saying that no Australian interests were going to be affected. Does that mean our interests aren't Australian?

"Before any further agreements over the maritime boundary are signed, we want the Australian Government to ask the Indonesian Government to help us protect the common fish stocks and our sacred sites. We would expect the Indonesians to at least listen to a comprehensive case put to them by properly informed Australian representatives, as we were sharing our marine resources with them; well before Captain Cook," Mr Yumbulul said.

"On behalf of all the salt water people of Arnhemland, I call upon our Chief Minister Mr Shane Stone and the Northern Territory's Federal representatives, Mr Nick Dondas and Senator Bob Collins to make representation to the Commonwealth Government and in the Federal Parliament on behalf of Yolngu to make sure that the interests of the citizens of the NT are not sold short in the small print of any more agreements with Indonesia, " Mr Yumbulul said.

17 September 1996 Contact Terry Yumbulul 08 8987 9028 for further information & interviews

Yolngu call for co-operation in management of seas

The Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee today refuted claims that non-Aboriginal people would be excluded from the Arafura Sea under the management regime Yolngu are currently seeking to establish.

Spokespersons Terry Yumbulul and Keith Djiniyini said following ill-informed comments made over the past day regarding native title it was clear that the negotiated joint management approach being pursued by Yolngu was the best possible approach.

"Claims by Seafood Industry Council spokesperson Nigel Scullion on ABC Lateline and ABC Radio that recognition of our native title rights over the sea would mean the exclusion of other groups are absolutely false", said Mr Yumbulul and Mr Djiniyini.

"What the Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee is concerned about is preserving our fish stocks for future Australians, not shutting people out. If anyone is being shut out it is Yolngu - shut out of management of our marine resources.

"Under a joint management regime Yolngu would push to have certain methods of fishing restricted while others would not be affected. For example, we would not exclude mackerel line-fishing but we are concerned about types of net-fishing where many other species are killed and wasted as a byproduct.

"Prawn trawling using current out-moded methods has a by-catch rate of between eight and 20 times the amount of prawns caught, while barramundi fishing has led to the deaths of many crocodiles and dugong along with other species.

"Mr Scullion may be attempting to mislead the amateur fishermen in his cause. We have no problem with that group. They use lines, catch relatively small amounts and often release fish. What we have a problem with is poor management, illegal fishing, pollution and so on.

"Government and industry must listen to our call because we are talking conciliation, not war through the courts. Other indigenous people are already in the Federal Court over their claims largely because of the position taken by the Federal Government, which is saying that native title can't exist in the sea because of technical and legal reasons.

"Mr Scullion has acknowledged as more reasonable our approach of negotiation rather than pursuing protracted court battles. As the issue is not going to disappear, Mr Scullion, the NT Government and other user groups now need to sit down and discuss our offer to jointly manage the seas", said Mr Yumbulul and Mr Djiniyini.

The Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee is calling on the Federal Government to take a constructive part in discussions in setting up a marine protection strategy for the Arafura Sea largely based on Yolngu (Arnhem Land Aboriginal) principles, with Yolngu people at the heart of the management structure.

29/8/96 Contact Terry Yumbulul on 08 8987 9028 or Keith Djiniyini on 08 8987 9268

Manbuynga ga Rulyapa makes presentation to Governor General

The Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee presented gifts of ceremonial spears to Australia's Governor General during a unique ceremony at Yarralumla in Canberra last Saturday evening.

The Manbuynga ga Rulyapa (Arafura Sea) delegation were special guests of Sir William and Lady Deane along with other Australian Aboriginal leaders including Lois O'Donoghue, Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Rex Granites.

Sir William introduced Manbuynga ga Rulyapa spokesperson Terry Yumbulul to gathered guests who in turn presented Australia' s Head of State with a copy of the Committee's strategic document. Mr Yumbulul then introduced dancers from North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, including several who had recently danced at the Olympic Games' closing ceremony in Atlanta.

Following an explanation from Mr Yumbulul the group performed in the Drawing Room at Yarralumla traditional sacred dances illustrating the significance of the sea to Yolngu people.

The Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee is calling on the Federal Government to set up a marine protection strategy for the Arafura Sea largely based on Yolngu (Arnhem Land Aboriginal) principles, with Yolngu people at the heart of the management structure.

Mr Yumbulul and fellow spokesperson Keith Djiniyini were in Canberra last Friday and Saturday as keynote speakers at the 20^th anniversary of the Land Rights Act Conference. The North East Arnhem Land dancers also performed at the Conference venue on Friday - King's Hall in old Parliament House.

Mr Yumbulul and Mr Djiniyini said the presentation at Yarralumla was a highlight of the trip. "Sir William said the residence had not seen such an event for a long, long time and he wished us well in what we were pursuing.

"We were happy to present Sir William with our draft strategy document because he was one of the judges who wrote the Mabo High Court decision back in 1992 and we know he would be sympathetic to our cause.

"The Mabo High Court judgement did not make a ruling about Native Title in the sea, but the judges did say that future court cases may well decide that the same principles that apply to the land will apply to the sea.

"The presentation was a way for us to let Australia's Head of State know that the sea is very important to us and we are extremely concerned about many issues including over-fishing, illegal fishing and pollution.

"We also told the conference that although the Land Rights Act went some way in addressing Aboriginal concerns about the land it did little for the sea - an area which means a great deal to salt-water people like us.

"We call on the Federal Government not to make any changes to the Native Title Act until we see - through current court cases - what rights are in the Act. We will keep a weather-eye on those court cases currently occurring but we prefer not to go the path of the courts.

"We have seen the advances made in places like New Zealand through negotiation and so prefer to negotiate rather than pursue drawn-out and expensive court cases.

"We are offering the Australian people and Government a chance to work together with us to look after our seas.

"Non-Aboriginal people are making a fortune out of our seas and destroying it at the same time with no benefits coming back to us. Yolngu need to achieve some economic independence from government and one way to do this is through giving us more responsibility in managing the sea.

20/8/96 Enquiries: Contact Terry Yumbulul or Keith Djiniyini on above numbers. Note: photographs of the dancers and presentation at Yarralumla are available through Tony Haritos on 08-8981 8775.

Yolngu welcome US ban to save turtles as nets kill endangered turtles in Arnhem Land

Yolngu have welcomed the recent decision by the US Court to ban the imports of prawns which are harvested with nets that can kill turtles. The announcement comes amidst news that up to 30 turtles have been discovered by Yolngu this week washed ashore in Arnhem Land trapped in fishing nets - almost half of which were dead.

Yolngu say that the US move was step in the right direction and that Australia should use its own endangered species legislation to follow suit.

Spokespersons for the Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee - which represents the Yolngu people of north east Arnhem Land on sea issues - Terry Yumbulul and Keith Djiniyini, said this was the way of the future in the battle to save our food stocks from extinction.

"The turtle is one of the main victims of now-outmoded trawling methods. But we have to move quickly if we are going to save the many endangered species of turtle as well as other fish stocks for future generations.

Dhimurru ranger Djawa Yunupingu releasing a Hawksbill Turtle found trapped in fishing net at Nanydjaka in north east Arnhem Land.

"The problem with the sea is that the wider population have no idea about the extent of the devastation that is occurring - in the same way they can see the problems occurring on the land." The Northern Territory Director of Fisheries, Darryl Grey, in the local paper on Monday 6 May, described the harvesting of turtles by Aboriginal people as a dilemma in terms of the impact on turtle stocks. "There is no dilemma at all," said Mr Yumbulul and Mr Djiniyini. "Aboriginal people hunt turtles for food by hand and in doing so are also performing a management function. By being out there and having to catch food to eat they are able to ascertain what food stocks exist. "It is not so much a case of Yolngu being excluded from the management of the region. It's more a case of there being no management at all. That is why we have been constantly calling for Aboriginal involvement in the management of our seas.

"At the moment these turtles and many other species are being destroyed as a by-product of prawning and fishing. The evidence is there for all to see and we can only point to this week's discovery by Yolngu as a classic example. We are very keen to work out alternative means of harvesting the seas but in a sustainable way."

Arnhem Land is the major breeding ground in Australia of the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), which nests mainly in the Croker Island region between April and November.

It is estimated there are between 500 and 1,000 breeders left in Australia with their status regarded as vulnerable according to the 1990 IUCN (World Conservation Union) List of Threatened Animals as well as being listed under the Commonwealth of Australia's Endangered Species Protection Act, 1992.

Truant Island, north of the English Company Islands in north east Arnhem Land, is the largest nesting ground in south east Asia for the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) which is also listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Act.

The Olive Ridley and Hawksbill, which nests between July and September, both breed within a major prawning area within the prawning season. The turtles found caught in drifting fishing nets in the Cape Arnhem area this week included Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Green and Flatback. Twelve of the turtles were dead with the rest freed.

"Tiger prawning and banana prawning are both carried out in these areas. The former is a far more devastating process than banana prawning. Here the trawl is dragged along the sea bed destroying every tiny creature in its path as well as catching the larger creatures ­ including turtles - in its net.

"All this causes severe damage to the environment. The time will come when we as a society will have to come up with alternatives."

10/5/96 Contact Terry Yumbulul or Keith Djiniyini on above numbers.

Yolngu welcome Territory Opposition Leader's support for joint management effort

The spokespersons for the Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee have welcomed Territory Opposition Leader Maggie Hickeyís support this morning for formal indigenous involvement in the Arafura Sea fishery.

Mrs Hickey said on ABC Radio that she believed Aboriginal assistance for management of the fisheries should be incorporated in a more formal way.

Spokesperson Terry Yumbulul said that this comment was in line with current indigenous calls for joint management of the Arafura Sea.

"There are many concerns which we Yolngu want addressed. The two I raised this morning on radio were the fisheries and the illegal entry of aeroplanes which may be dropping off drugs ó but there are others.

"Mrs Hickeyís support shows that we may be turning the corner in having the wider population understand our feelings. We have also had meetings with Mr Stone, who supported the thrust of our views, and so I call on the Chief Minister to exert pressure on the Commonwealth for something to be done."

Meanwhile, the spokespersons for the Manbuynga ga Rulyapa Steering Committee last week made a successful submission to Australiaís maritime experts assembled at the Coast to Coast conference in Adelaide.

Mr Yumbulul and Keith Djiniyini explained their concerns regarding the lack of management for the Arafura Sea (north of Arnhem Land) to more than 350 leading officials at the conference.

The focus for their submission was the recent beaching deaths of up to 200 whales on Elcho Island earlier this month.

"Imagine if this happened on Bondi beach!" Mr Yumbulul told the conference after screening video footage of the dead mammals.

"There would be media and scientists running from everywhere. No expense would be spared to both save the whales and to try and discover why they died. But here in the Territory it rates a small media item.

"Are these whales less important than east coast whales or does it mean that there is no management in place? The NT Government does not have a single saltwater marine biologist on staff.

"These whales are very important to us. They are out totems and we must care for them. We want to know why they died both for that reason and also for the implications it might have for the rest of the fish stocks. This was a tragedy!

"We live on these islands surrounded by sea but have no authority or means to be involved in management. We want this to change. We want to be involved.

"This is what we told the conference and we have had a very positive response. They can see that there needs to be changes to management and that indigenous people need to be involved right around Australia."

26/4/96 For interviews please contact Keith Djiniyini on mobile 014 951 425

Whale tragedy in East Arnhem Land shows need for joint management of the Arafura Sea

After seeing the carcasses Mr Yumbulul said: "Had the people of Elcho Island been informed at the time that this was happening we would have taken immediate steps to prevent the tragedy and to help the whales back to sea.

"The Yolngu people of the region have a special affinity with the whale. Our people at the outstation were unable to get through to us because the phones were not working and they were stranded from the rains.

"The whale in our belief is a special creature and for our people it is God's representative on this planet. Special ceremonies are now taking place to grieve our loss for the whales. When a whale passes on it is exactly the same as if a close member of our family dies. We have identified the four species of whale that have perished as the false killer whale; the rare pygmy whale, which is rarely seen in these waters of which one was an albino; pilot whales and two juvenile bottle-nose dolphins.

"I am perplexed as to why this has happened as I have not heard of juvenile dolphins beaching themselves before. These Wuyunungu, or juvenile dolphins, along with the whales have obviously been upset by something to have beached themselves.

"We donít know whether it has been boats or nets, or chains and shackles, or perhaps a natural occurrence which has thrown their senses out, but there are trawlers operating close to shore in the area and that may be a link. The beachings also coincide with the beginning of the prawning season.

"This event is a classic example of why we want governments to agree to a joint management system for Manbuynga ga Rulyapa (the Arafura Sea) off Arnhem Land.

"Part of what we need are better lines of communication so that we can be informed by Coastal Surveillance whenever this sort of event occurs and be directly involved in any decision about what to do."

Yolngu are calling for an indigenous marine protection strategy for coastal waters between Maningrida and Numbulwar and north to Australiaís boundary with Indonesia.

6/4/96 Enquiries: call Terry Yumbulul 089- 879 028