Aboriginal Fishing

Access and use of fisheries resources and the health of sea country is an integral part of Aboriginal culture and linkage with the land. For Aboriginal people, cultural values are intertwined around traditional uses, spiritual connection, ancestral ties and respect for waterways, land, sea and the resources these provide. Aboriginal Victorians have historically utilised many fishery resources for food and trading purposes including abalone, Murray cod, golden perch, Murray spiny crayfish and eels. In addition to these species, Aboriginal people highlight the value of supporting ecosystems and habitats for these resources and the importance of factors such as water flow, temperature patterns and snags to the health of fisheries resources. Fisheries Victoria is developing an Aboriginal Fishing Strategy to shape our approach to addressing Native Title, customary fishing, economic development opportunities, and increasing Aboriginal participation in fisheries management. This will be a State-wide effort that will involve working with Aboriginal community representatives, relevant government agencies and other fisheries stakeholders to ensure there are policies and mechanisms in place to facilitate Aboriginal interests and involvement in fishing. The Aboriginal Fishing Strategy will apply to all Aboriginal Victorians interested in the use of fisheries resources, including Native Title holders. Get involved in the Aboriginal Fishing Strategy Recognition of Aboriginal culture, tradition and rights Customary fishing is not currently defined or explicitly recognised in Victorian fisheries legislation, and non-commercial fishing by Aboriginal people is therefore treated as recreational fishing. However, the Fisheries Act 1995 does provide for the issue of permits to take fish for specified Aboriginal cultural ceremonies or events. The Victorian Government has committed to amend the Act to recognise customary fishing and Fisheries Victoria has commenced work, as part of the Aboriginal Fishing Strategy, to inform the necessary amendments. Fisheries Victoria is also endeavouring to better incorporate Aboriginal considerations, input and knowledge into our management and policy processes. We have committed to establishing more effective communication networks with the Aboriginal community in Victoria and revising consultation strategies. An improved consultation framework will assist the collection and utilisation of traditional knowledge within the science that informs fisheries management decisions.

Aboriginal Fishing Strategy Flier Download a PDF version of the Aboriginal Fishing Strategy flier (PDF 113KB).