Cowley Beach

Ranger team
Mandubarra Land and Sea Rangers
Host organisation
Mandubarra Land and Sea Incorporated

The Mandubarra Land and Sea Rangers look after land and sea country around Cowley Beach, extending from Mourilyan Harbour in the north to Kurrimine Beach in the south, and including offshore islands. Most of their sea country lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area. They collaborate with QPWS, other ranger groups, community organisations and local government.

Mandubarra rangers’ work includes:

  • monitoring compliance within the Traditional Use of Marine Resources (TUMRA) area
  • coastal biosecurity and public contact patrols
  • seagrass restoration and monitoring in Mourilyan Harbour, in collaboration with AusFish and James Cook University, and mangrove health condition assessments with Mangrove Watch
  • monitoring marine species (turtle nesting,turtle hatching, shorebirds), and environmental impacts
  • protecting, restoring and maintaining cultural sites (middens, fish traps, occupation sites, burial sites); and maintaining cultural heritage database and records
  • monitoring and controlling invasive species (feral pigs and priority declared weeds)
  • responding to marine wildlife strandings and removing marine debris.
  • inter-generational cultural knowledge sharing, through on-country activities for Mandubarra people, community events, tourism activities and school-based programs

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