Aboriginal Fishing
Fisheries Victoria recognises that Aboriginal people have a strong connection to country that is central to their culture, both traditionally and today. 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.
It is time to improve how we manage Victoria’s fisheries to incorporate the rights, interests, aspirations and culture of Aboriginal people into both what we do and how we work. We also acknowledge the interests of commercial and recreational fishers to access the community’s fisheries resources.
Fisheries Victoria has released a Draft Aboriginal Fishing Strategy that seeks to shape our approach to addressing Native Title, customary fishing, economic development opportunities, and increasing Aboriginal participation in fisheries management. The Draft Strategy has been developed on the basis of discussions with Aboriginal community members, Aboriginal groups, Government agencies, Fisheries Victoria staff and other stakeholders.
Vision
Culturally informed, sustainable fisheries management that contributes to improving the wealth, capacity and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities in Victoria.
We are committed to working together with the Aboriginal community to sustainably manage fish resources in freshwater and saltwater country, side-by-side with recreational and commercial fishers. We want to do this well, so we need your input and feedback on the Draft Aboriginal Fishing Strategy. Please take the time to read the Draft Strategy and provide feedback using the web form, or alternatively get in touch with the project team. We appreciate you helping us to make sure that this important work is the right approach for Victoria.
Get involved
The public comment period for the Draft Aboriginal Fishing Strategy has now closed. We appreciate you taking the time to submit your response and helping us make sure this approach is right for Victoria. There will be further opportunities for input into the project as it works through the multiple tasks. If you would like to meet with the project team or just discuss the Draft Aboriginal Fishing Strategy project, please contact:
| Michael Gilby Fisheries Victoria Department of Primary Industries Ph. 03 5051 4558 M. 0427 724 198 Email: michael.gilby@dpi.vic.gov.au |
Wurreker Awards 2010
The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) Wurreker Awards are held annually to recognise and celebrate achievements made by individuals, organisations and training providers who are working to create positive, tangible outcomes for Koorie individuals and communities.
Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries Victoria have been chosen as a finalist in the 2010 Wurreker Awards. A major area where Fisheries Victoria are showing leadership, is in the area of their approach towards the Aboriginal Fishing Strategy to shape their approach to addressing Native Title, customary fishing, economic development opportunities, and increasing Aboriginal participation in fisheries management. Because of the success in their approach Fisheries Victoria are now committed to further increasing Aboriginal participation in their workforce.
Aboriginal Fishing in Victoria - a literature review
Fisheries Victoria has conducted a literature review of Aboriginal fishing practices in Victoria. Information gathered in this study has been used to produce two maps which provide for a visual representation of archaeological evidence of Aboriginal fishing activity in Victoria.
| This map gives a broad impression of Aboriginal fishing, using layers of images indicative of activity in specific locations | This map shows the geospatial distribution of cultural heritage sites that relate to fishing. |
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Click on the image above to view a larger version Archaeological Examples of Fishing by Aboriginal Victorians |
Click on the image above to view a larger version Archaeological Evidence of Fishing by Aboriginal Victorians |
Key to maps and definitions:
| Shell Deposits (Middens) | Map colour – Red | Shell middens are the remains of meals collected by Aboriginal people from both the open-coast, near inland waters and sheltered estuarine environments. They contain substantial deposits of shellfish and other marine species. |
| Mounds | Map colour – Purple | Mounds are similar to middens in that they contain the remains of meals of Aboriginal people; however they have been distinguished from middens as the term ‘mound’ refers in particular to a ‘native oven’ or ‘mirrn-yong’ heap. |
| Stone arrangements/ Fish eel traps | Map colour – Green | Fish traps consisted of stones deliberately aligned along rivers or creeks which were used to channel water for the purpose of trapping fish, especially the shortfin eel, Anguilla australis. |
| Scarred trees | Map colour – Yellow | Trees that have had their bark cut for a variety of uses; canoes, shields, housing and containers are known as scarred trees. The widespread use of traditional canoes, evident from records of scarred trees, and their obvious importance to fishing/spearing testifies to the importance of fishing to Aboriginal Victorians. |
For more information, please call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
