Mapoon
- Ranger team
- Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers
- Host organisation
- Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
The Mapoon Land and Sea rangers manage 80km of coastline and three major river catchments in Western Cape York.
Rangers deliver environmental and cultural protection activities including:
- intensive monitoring of turtle nests to enhance the survival of species, including the endangered Olive Ridley turtle
- culling of feral pigs to support an increase in the hatchling success of Flatback and Olive Ridley turtle nests
- biosecurity work including fruit fly surveys and collection, pest plant and animal health surveys
- protection of little tern colonies including through the installation of signage and exclusion fencing
- recording and management of important cultural sites
- removal of ghost nets and marine debris along the coastline
- biannual assessment of nine priority wetlands; and water quality testing in four river systems
- implementation of the Mapoon Fire Management Plan, including both on-ground and aerial burning
- monthly sea country patrols to monitor for illegal activities
- visitor management including patrolling and maintaining campgrounds, and checking visitor permits
- annual Speartooth Shark survey in partnership with Sharks and Rays Australia
- treatment of priority weeds including gamba, sicklepod and caltrop
- junior ranger activities in partnership with Western Cape College.