NRLW Press Conference: Roosters v Sharks - Finals Week 2, 2025 | Watch

Dr. Henrietta Marrie, a prominent Meriam woman from the Torres Strait, explores the deep cultural connections between Indigenous Australians and sharks in marine ecosystems.

This article examines how First Nations peoples have maintained traditional custodianship over marine environments for thousands of years, with sharks playing crucial roles in both cultural practices and ecological balance. Marrie discusses how Indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable insights for modern environmental protection efforts, highlighting the intersection between traditional wisdom and contemporary conservation approaches.

• Traditional Indigenous knowledge provides essential understanding of shark behavior and marine ecosystem management
• First Nations communities maintain spiritual and cultural connections to sharks as totemic animals and environmental indicators
• Indigenous custodianship practices offer sustainable models for protecting marine environments and shark populations
• Collaboration between Indigenous knowledge holders and modern conservation efforts strengthens environmental protection strategies