The Sea That Belongs To The Land
The Meriam people continue to assert an inherited right to decide who enters their land or maritime property; this even applies to those from other clans, although it's not always exercised.
Over the years, the Meriam were pressured by government authorities to relinquish their claims to the foreshore, home reefs and more distant cays and reefs; all in the name of Christian sharing. This was despite their dependence on the sea.
So, it was not surprising that during the Mabo case, the Meriam reasserted their rights not only to their three islands, but also to the "surrounding seas, seabeds, reefs".
...before you go catch fish...
Video
fish traps, Land Bilong Islanders, Malo's laws, Noah, Kaba, wasikor
...swim with the same kind...
Image and Text
clans, evidence, Mabo Case, Malo's laws, No Ordinary Judgement, Wailu, Jack, witnesses
Indigenous People & Their Land
Topic
custom, indigenous people, land ownership, land rights, land use, sacred
Sea Claims
Topic
Federal Government, Australia, fish traps, fishing, Great Barrier Reef, Meriam culture, sacred, sea rights
In Meriam Waters
Topic
fishing, Great Barrier Reef, Meriam culture, sea rights, seafarers, Torres Strait
Land Bilong Islanders - Mabo
Topic
Great Northern expedition, land ownership, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, sea rights
The Mabo Case
Topic
1982-1992
High Court of Australia, International law, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, terra nullius
