Roebuck Bay Ramsar Wetland
Challenge
Roebuck Bay, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance near Broome, features extensive intertidal mudflats, seagrass beds and supports thousands of migratory shorebirds. It holds deep cultural significance for the Yawuru people and is vital for global biodiversity. The site faces threats from climate change, stormwater pollution and coastal development, while upstream land management practices affect water quality and ecological integrity.
Solution
Rangelands NRM co-leads surveys and ecological syntheses (benthic, seagrass, shorebird) with Yawuru rangers and partners, conducts regenerative pastoral and riparian works upstream to improve water quality, and delivers community education programs. The culturally co-led approach ensures Traditional Owner knowledge and governance is central to conservation planning and implementation.
Impact
Collaborative monitoring has improved understanding of Roebuck Bay’s ecological condition and identified priority management areas. Upstream riparian works are improving water quality entering the bay, and restoration efforts are supporting habitat recovery. Community engagement has strengthened public stewardship of this globally significant site and reduced knowledge gaps in key research areas including shorebird ecology and seagrass health.
Outcome
The Roebuck Bay Ramsar program has established a Yawuru-led, science-supported conservation model that is improving the ecological health and management of one of Australia’s most significant migratory shorebird sites. The program’s collaborative approach has created enduring partnerships between Indigenous custodians, researchers and community members, building the long-term governance and capacity needed to protect Roebuck Bay’s Outstanding Universal Value into the future.