Traditional knowledge held by Indigenous peoples embodies holistic comprehension of Land and Sea Country, and is the cornerstone of life, identity and cultural values.
For Indigenous communities, integration of traditional knowledge into research and adaptive management plans offers a pathway for economic self determination, preserving cultural ties to land and waters while generating income.
Indigenous communities have diverse interests in fishing and aquaculture. It is important to nurture culture, secure broader societal recognition of Indigenous people’s custodianship of aquatic resources and build economic opportunities. Sharing knowledge and building capability and capacity are critical to realising these aspirations.
The Indigenous sector includes individuals and enterprises associated with fisheries resources where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples derive products and who are connected to land, sky and waters.
FRDC is committed to:
- Acknowledging the special relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with their traditional lands and waters.
- Valuing the experiences, knowledge, perspectives and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples, including in a formal sense within projects where appropriate, and protect these as we would any other intellectual property elements.
- Demonstrating informed respect for Indigenous Australians and working with our partners to achieve the same in developing research, development and extension projects and realising their outcomes.
- Incorporating Indigenous knowledge where relevant into research projects and delivery of outcomes. Enabling R&D on fishing and aquaculture for and by Indigenous Australians.
FRDC's Indigenous Reference Group
FRDC seeks to invest in R&D to help achieve aspirations of Indigenous Peoples. The FRDC Indigenous Reference Group is an expertise-based committee of Indigenous people, with members from various areas of expertise and knowledge from across Australian fishing and aquaculture.
Key Resources
- CSIRO - Our Knowledge, Our Way guidelines
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS):
AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research - IP Australia – What is Indigenous Knowledge and IP
- United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples
- Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC)
- North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA)
- Australian National University (ANU) First Nations Portfolio – Murru waaruu First Nations Portfolio
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Engaging with First Nations People - The Interim Engaging with First Nations People and Communities on Assessments and Approvals under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (interim guidance)
- National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub - Indigenous partnerships strategy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) - AIMS Indigenous Partnerships Plan: From Engagement to Partnerships
- Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) – Indigenous Engagement in Marine Science
