This is an NFSA Digital Learning resource. See all Digital Learning websites.
Farming The Sea
More Information

The power of the sea is central to Meriam life and culture.

While the Meriam gained sustenance from their food gardens, they also "farmed" the sea; they built small coral structures to raise lobsters.

In ancient times, they built stone traps on the reefs to catch fish.

Over the last few years, a commercial, but community-run, fishery has helped younger people maintain the Meriam's traditional fishing and maritime skills.

However, while the knowledge gained from farming the land and nurturing the sea still exists, the impact of a larger world is drawing young Meriam away from their subsistence heritage.
Mer, Waier & Dauar
Topic
 
Dauar, Dauar, HMS Pandora, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Meriam history, Murray Island, Waier
Ancient & Modern Ways
Topic
 
Great Barrier Reef, Mer, Murray Island, native title, reef, sea claims, sea rights, Subkaur Island
A Child's First Catch
Topic
 
fishing, Mer, Meriam culture
...Owning the stars, wind and sea...
Video
 
inheritance, Land Bilong Islanders, Malo's laws, Mer, Murray Island, ownership
...When the tide goes out...
Video
 
fish traps, fishing, Land Bilong Islanders, Mer, Murray Island, sea claims, sea rights, Wailu, Jack, witnesses
Fishing the reef at low tide
Video
1989
fishing, Land Bilong Islanders, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Adapted To Their Continent
Topic
 
Australia, First Fleet, indigenous people, land use
The Murray Islanders' Evidence
Topic
1986
evidence, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island, plaintiffs, witnesses
Sea Claims
Topic
 
Federal Government, Australia, fish traps, fishing, Great Barrier Reef, Meriam culture, sacred, sea rights
Sea Rights
Topic
 
Federal Government, Australia, fishing, Meriam culture, sea rights
Hierarchies Of Land Use
Topic
 
barbarism, colonisation, terra nullius
In Meriam Waters
Topic
 
fishing, Great Barrier Reef, Meriam culture, sea rights, seafarers, Torres Strait
Listening To The Sea
Topic
 
fishing, Great Barrier Reef, sea rights, seafarers
Pearl Fishers & Their Times
Topic
 
colonisation, fishing, pearling industry, sea rights, Torres Strait Islanders
Seafarers & Food Growers
Topic
 
fishing, gardening, sea rights, seafarers
Something Deep Within Us
Topic
 
fishing, Great Barrier Reef, sacred, sea rights, seafarers
The Sea That Belongs To The Land
Topic
 
fish traps, fishing, Great Barrier Reef, sea rights, seafarers