Maria Island, Gulf of Carpentaria facts for kids

Maria Island, known as Gurrululinya in the Marra language, is an important island located in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is part of the Northern Territory in Australia. This special island is very important to local Indigenous Australian people. It is also a vital home for many different kinds of wildlife.

Island Location and Wildlife

Maria Island is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Carpentaria, near Limmen Bight. The waters and wetlands around the island are full of seagrass, which is like underwater grass. This area is a crucial place for many animals.

• Sea Turtles: Three types of sea turtles, including the olive ridley and flatback turtle, use the sandy edges of the island to lay their eggs. It's also a key spot for them to feed and nest.
• Birds: Large groups of silver gulls live here. The island is also a feeding and breeding ground for critically endangered birds like the curlew sandpiper and great knot.
• Mammals: Inside the island, you can find many northern brown bandicoots. In the waters nearby, herds of dugongs (also known as sea cows) and groups of dolphins swim and feed.
• Fish: The waters around Maria Island are also home to the freshwater sawfish, which is another critically endangered species.

Aboriginal Traditions and Sacred Sites

Maria Island holds deep cultural meaning for the local Indigenous Australian people. There are 16 sacred sites on the island that are officially registered with the Northern Territory Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

One traditional story says that the island is the resting place of their Kangaroo Dreaming. This is a spiritual story about a kangaroo that traveled through the desert and then rested on the island. The island is also believed to have a special sheaoak tree that is considered dangerous to certain outsiders.

Mining Interests and Conservation

Over the years, there has been interest from mining companies in Maria Island.

• Early Mining Plans: In 2011, two companies, Western Desert Resources Corporation and Sherwin Iron, planned to build a pipeline. This pipeline would carry iron ore from their Roper Bar mining site to Maria Island. The ore would then be treated on the island and loaded onto barges. These barges would take the material to larger ships for export to other countries.
• National Park Status: In 2012, Maria Island was included in the new Limmen National Park. This was a big step for conservation. However, the agreement allowed some parts of the land to still be used for mining exploration.
• Company Changes: In 2014, the two mining companies faced financial difficulties. Later, a company from Dubai called Al-Rawda Resources showed interest in restarting a similar project. They planned to build a facility on the coastal wetlands to load ore onto barges.
• Community Concerns: The local Marra community has expressed worries about these mining plans. They are concerned that any new buildings or activities could harm the island's natural environment, which is currently very clean and untouched.