Research seeks to highlight cultural fishing in Northern New South Wales

Southern Cross University researchers are embarking on a 12-month study in consultation with the Tweed Byron Aboriginal Land Council and the Tweed Shire Aboriginal Advisory Committee to record cultural fishing activity in the Tweed Heads region of Northern NSW.

The researchers are looking for Aboriginal people to volunteer their time to take part in the study, which will help the community address a number of fisheries related issues including the recent amendments to the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994. This act now formally acknowledges Aboriginal cultural fishing activity alongside commercial and recreational interest groups.

The study, funded by a grant from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, will assist in fulfilling objectives of the NSW Indigenous Fishing Strategy (IFS), which is an important tool for carrying out recognition of cultural fishing activity under the Act.

Principal researcher Associate Professor Stephan Schnierer said the success of the NSW IFS had been hampered by lack of information about the cultural fisheries.

“Historically fisheries management agencies have ignored Indigenous fishing rights which has resulted in restrictions on cultural practices which have contributed not only to a loss of access to traditional target species but a loss of traditional fisheries knowledge,” Professor Schnierer said.

“Fishing remains an important activity for Aboriginal people in the Tweed region, as it is for Aboriginal people all over Australia, and the amendment to the Act signals a shift to formally recognise Aboriginal fishing activities in NSW.”

The Southern Cross University study seeks to: determine which fish species are of cultural relevance in the Tweed region; gain quantitative information about cultural catch (e.g. species, numbers, weight, frequency of fishing); and establish a community-owned fishing database and build community capacity to conduct fisheries research.

The information gained from the study will assist Tweed community to better negotiate with the government on such things as management options for cultural fishing.

Professor Schnierer said support and enthusiasm from the Tweed Byron Aboriginal Land Council and the Tweed Shire Aboriginal Advisory Committee for the project had been encouraging.

He said he hoped the wider Aboriginal community in the Tweed region would also embrace the opportunity to increase the representation and recognition of Aboriginal cultural fishing interests in NSW.

Aboriginal people interested in getting involved in the study are encouraged to get in touch on 02 6620 3572 or 0416 662009.