Michael Wear

Professor Michael Wear is a Mulgana Traditional Custodian from the World Heritage Area of Shark Bay, Western Australia, with over 30 years’ experience working on and caring for the ocean. In 2017, he founded Tidal Moon, Australia’s first Indigenous-owned and led sea cucumber fishery and marine restoration enterprise. Appointed Professor of Practice (Indigenous Environmental Conservation) at Murdoch University in 2025, he was also awarded the Inaugural Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems. His work demonstrates the power of Aboriginal knowledge in Sea Country conservation and sustainable livelihoods.