Major science award for Tidal Moon’s Michael Wear
West Australian Michael Wear became the winner of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems at an awards ceremony in Perth on Monday evening.
This new award recognises the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems taking place across Australia.
The award winner is an important role model who can inspire other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians.
Presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Tim Ayres it recognises and celebrates achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation, the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems and excellence in science teaching.
Michael has spent more than 30 years working on and around the ocean and supporting the creation of Indigenous jobs and livelihoods, and through his company Tidal Moon he founded the Sea Cucumber Project in 2017.
He has united three Aboriginal communities – Mulgana (Shark Bay), Bayungu (Coral Bay / Exmouth) and Thalanyji (Onslow) – to develop a viable commercial sea cucumber business that has created economic opportunity, promote environmental stewardship, and help the younger generation connect with their cultural heritage.
In 2023, Michael led Tidal Moon to become the only Indigenous business and only Western Australian business selected to receive a BHP Blue Carbon Breakthrough Grant to advance the development of the Australian blue carbon market.
Under the grant, Tidal Moon, in collaboration with carbon and seagrass scientists, leads one of the world’s largest seagrass restoration projects, in World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, Western Australia.
The program aims to restore a portion of the estimated 100,000 hectares of seagrass damaged in a 2011-2012 marine heat wave.
It is one of the largest carbon and biodiversity recovery programs of its kind undertaken anywhere in the world. It is also the only one ever to use Indigenous divers in a lead role.
Earlier this year Michael was named Australia’s first Professor of Practice in Indigenous Environmental Conservation at the College of Environmental and Life Sciences, in recognition of his significant accomplishments in the field.
