Indigenous-Driven Governance of Sea Country through Collaborative Planning and Indigenous Protected Areas

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long asserted that their coastal and island country ('sea country') is comprised of holistic terrestrial and marine estates to which cultural rights, practices, obligations, and economic and social relationships apply. However, recognition of Indigenous sea rights in legislation and policy differs markedly between Australian jurisdictions and has generally occurred later and to a lesser extent than for land. This article focuses on planning processes and governance arrangements for supporting Indigenous expression of authority over sea country despite current legislative shortcomings.