Karajarri Dedicate Australia’s First “Sea Country” IPA

Why this is here: Karajarri IPAs currently account for 54% of Australia’s progress toward protecting 30% of its land and oceans by 2030.

In northwestern Australia’s Kimberley region, the Karajarri people recently dedicated Karajarri Jurarr Ngurra, Australia’s first “Sea Country” Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) spanning roughly 587,000 acres. For thirty years, the Karajarri have secured legal recognition of their land claims and established a ranger program rooted in traditional ecological knowledge. This new IPA aims to blend conservation goals with the empowerment of Indigenous Australians as land managers.

Across Australia, over 90 IPAs now contribute to the country’s effort to protect 30% of its territory by 2030, accounting for about 54% of progress toward that goal. Research suggests each dollar invested in IPAs can yield between $1.50 and $3.40 in social, economic, and environmental benefits.

However, advocates emphasize the need for sustained support for Indigenous communities. While government funding of roughly $9.4 million has been allocated to expand the IPA network, it remains a relatively small amount, and broader government subsidies continue to support environmentally damaging industries. The work of collaboratively documenting and applying traditional knowledge continues, with rangers now co-authoring scientific publications and contributing to ecological research.