Published: Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 9:35:36 AM
- Mid West Ports partners with Yamatji Rangers and 02 Marine to protect marine fauna
- Strong environmental safeguards underpin Port maintenance dredging
- Partnership builds local capability and supports care for Sea Country
A partnership between Mid West Ports, Yamatji Rangers and O2 Marine has brought marine science and Yamatji knowledge together to help protect marine fauna during maintenance dredging at the Port of Geraldton.
Yamatji Rangers worked alongside O2 Marine scientists as marine fauna observers during the dredging program, providing an important environmental safeguard while building local capability in marine monitoring.
Throughout the program, the team observed Australian sea lions, humpback whales, dolphins, green turtles and a loggerhead turtle in waters around the Port.
Marine fauna exclusion zones were maintained around dredging activities, with mitigation measures implemented when animals entered these areas. This included relocating dredging activities or temporarily pausing works until the animals had safely moved away.
Mid West Ports CEO Damian Tully said the partnership demonstrated how environmental management could deliver benefits beyond the immediate project.
“Protecting the marine environment is an important part of how we operate, and partnerships like this allow us to combine environmental science with the knowledge and connection to Sea Country that Yamatji Rangers bring,” Mr Tully said.
“The Rangers weren’t simply observing the project, they were part of the team delivering an important environmental monitoring program.
“Working alongside O2 Marine also provided practical experience in marine fauna monitoring and species identification, building capability that can be applied to future environmental projects across the Mid West.
“For us, that’s what a strong environmental partnership looks like, caring for the marine environment while sharing knowledge, building local capability and creating opportunities that extend well beyond a single project.”
Yamaji Southern Regional Corporation CEO Luka Gray agreed, saying the partnership highlighted the important role Yamatji people can play in caring for and managing Sea Country.
“For Yamatji people, caring for Country is something we have done for generations, and it is important that our Rangers have opportunities to bring that knowledge and connection to Country into projects like this.
“Working alongside O2 Marine and Mid West Ports gives our Rangers valuable hands-on experience in marine monitoring and species identification, while also allowing them to contribute their own knowledge and understanding of Sea Country.
“What is particularly important for us is building the skills and experience of our Rangers so that Yamatji people continue to have a strong and meaningful role in caring for, protecting and managing our Country into the future.”
O2 Marine Scientist Brook Newcomb said the project demonstrated the value of combining scientific expertise with local knowledge.
“The Rangers brought their knowledge of Sea Country and existing experience monitoring marine fauna, including Australian sea lions within the Port, which complemented O2 Marine’s technical marine fauna monitoring expertise.
“This project provided an opportunity to build on that existing knowledge through practical experience in an operational environment.
“For O2 Marine, these partnerships are about combining scientific expertise with local knowledge to deliver stronger environmental outcomes and support long-term capability within the region.”
Mid West Ports undertakes maintenance dredging to remove naturally accumulated sediment and maintain safe navigable depths within the Port of Geraldton.
Further information can be found on the Mid West Ports website Dredging - 2026 Maintenance Dredging » Mid West Ports
About Mid West Ports
Mid West Ports is a proudly Western Australian Government owned Port Authority. Servicing WA’s Mid West region, it plays a pivotal role in facilitating more than 21.6 million tonnes of global trade each year, supporting the growth of our region and connecting the Mid West to the world.
While it predominantly operates bulk exports in iron ore, grain and mineral sands, its role in trade and tourism continues to thrive.
Proudly connected to Southern Yamatji country, its workforce of nearly 200 are largely based in regional WA.
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