Standard Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Quandamooka People are of the sand and sea from Country now known as Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. 

Shellfish have been continuously harvested for thousands of years by Quandamooka People.  One of the most culturally important of these is Quampie (Mud Oyster).  Post-colonisation, Indigenous fishery matters have been managed secondary to commercial interests. 

Shellfish reef flats (Quampie habitat), were once prolific throughout Quandamooka Country.  Their location, extent and condition have been altered by urbanisation, deforestation, biosecurity hazards, agriculture and resource extraction practices.  Climate change is further impacting on the resilience of this habitat, now considered “functionally extinct” in Quandamooka.   

The traditional harvesting method for Quampie continues on flats with remnant shellfish reef.  This method includes a restorative practice, resulting in sustainable community small-scale aquaculture.

Traditional and contemporary Quandamooka knowledge is being woven into non-indigenous research and regulatory practices by QYAC through:

• Co-authoring review of Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan (2019).
• Preparation of a Fisheries, Forestry and Food Strategy (2020).
• actively participate in community and stakeholder working groups, with neighbouring First Nations, researchers, not-for-profit groups and Government.
• preparing a Quandamooka Traditional Harvest Strategy for Quampie (Pinctata albina). This is the first Indigenous-led Traditional Harvest Strategy to be prepared in Australia.