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Two-Eyed Seeing – a framework for cultural fishery assessments supporting equitable and sustainable access to shared resources in NSW Inland Rivers

Project number: 2021-107
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $1,460,500.00
Principal Investigator: Katherine J. Cheshire
Organisation: NSW Department Of Primary Industries Port Stephens
Project start/end date: 2 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2028
:

Need

Fish are totemic and a primary food source; and so are part of the deep cultural, spiritual and economic connections Aboriginal communities have to their waterways that are part of ‘Country’. Cultural knowledge tells us that when there’s more water availability cultural fishers experience increased total catches and greater diversity of target species, and they fish more (e.g. increase in recreational and subsistence fishing). These narratives also suggest that as a result of these improved cultural fishing opportunities, there are flow on socio-economic benefits to household budgets, diets of communities, social behaviours and mental health and well-being.

Water is sacred and living; and central to the cultural, social and spiritual identity of Aboriginal people, as well as to their livelihoods. Conceptual models underpinning western water management frameworks and decision making do not incorporate Aboriginal/First Nations socio-cultural complexity, local knowledge and governance arrangements. These are critical – Aboriginal/First Nations people have strong connections with fish, water, rivers and knowledge to contribute to planning, as well as a fundamental right to participate. Water and fish are central to the way of life, two-way knowledge and planning frameworks will support reciprocity in engagement and participation.

Two-Eyed Seeing Frameworks (Ganma, Yolgnu for two-ways) provide a way forward for cultural fishery assessments supporting equitable and sustainable access to shared resources. In this framework, knowledge systems (western and cultural) contribute in parallel, on an equal footing, and both serve as evidence bases to produce an enriched picture of mutual understanding. Application of this framework can empower Aboriginal communities to participate more equitably and negotiate by using their science and values and providing a method for inclusion.

The overall objective of this proposed project is to empower Aboriginal communities through application of a “Two-Eyed seeing framework” (Reid et al. 2020) to participate more equitably and negotiate for cultural fishing practices and water allocation and management. This project will define the cultural fishery and quantify the socio-economic value of cultural fishing in two NSW river regions, and assist communities to identify water management needs for key cultural fish species to support ongoing planning and negotiations. It will improve our current fishery and water management by providing a pathway for cultural fisheries and cultural science to be included. Overall, it will increase our current knowledge of fish and fisheries, by bridging the gap between cultural science and western science practitioners and knowledge holders to share understandings, insights and skills. The application and extension of this framework to a national project will be considered for future use in addressing cultural fishery allocations and management.

Objectives

1. Identify suitable NSW riverine cultural fisheries, engage with Aboriginal Communities, Traditional Owners, codesign the project and confirm move to phase 2.
2. Define and quanitfy the cultural fishery and associated totemic, cultura and social values
3. Identify and describe fish objectives and water management needs for cultural fish species using the Fish and Flows Framework.
4. Determine if changes in (2) are related to changes in water availability, policy and operations and/or river restoration activities (e.g. fish passage restoration, cold water passage, screening), if possible.
5. Objectively assess the efficacy and utility of the “Two-Eyed Seeing framework” in assessing the totemic, culutal and social fishing values and linking them to the fish and flows framework, including consideration of National applicability.

Market study to assist target seafood marketing campaign to restore consumer confidence after Hunter River fishing closure due to contamination

Project number: 2016-251
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $16,500.00
Principal Investigator: Tricia Beatty
Organisation: Intuitive Solutions
Project start/end date: 29 Sep 2016 - 29 Dec 2016
:

Need

A promotional campaign strategy is now being discussed and implemented (shortly) to establish consumer confidence in seafood sourced from the Hunter River and greater Newcastle regions. Marketing research is needed to ensure that this campaign is effective in addressing consumer concerns and restoring consumer confidence.

This research will then define the target audience, the key messages that must be addressed, and any additional details that will ensure an effective promotional campaign

Objectives

1. To identify through market research the understanding of the Hunter River Seafood Contamination by local residents, and regional, state-wide and national seafood consumers
2. To identify what is their confidence in NSW Government risk assessment and decision to re-open fishing in the region
3. To identify questions they have regarding safety in eating seafood sourced from the Hunter River and greater Newcastle region
4. To provide information to assist in a target seafood promotion campaign of Hunter River and Newcastle region seafood to restore confidence and repair brand damage due to the Williamtown Seafood contamination.

Final report

Author: Michael Sparks
Final Report • 2016-10-01 • 1.41 MB
2016-251-DLD.pdf

Summary

In early September 2015 the discovery of a chemical contamination around the Williamtown RAAF base in the NSW Hunter Valley was made public The NSW Environment Protection Authority warned that chemicals perfluorooctane sulfonate ( and perfluorooctanoic acid ( had been found in surface water, groundwaters and some fish species in nearby waterways Residents living near the base were warned to take precautions such as not eating fish or oysters from local waterways or drinking bore water. The NSW Government formed an expert panel and conducted an investigation into this issue The Expert Panel, after undertaking a major study, has advised that the levels of PFOS and PFOA within seafood in the region are at levels that provide minimal risk to most consumers Commercial and recreational fishing in the Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove areas has re opened since October 1 st 2016 with an ongoing restriction on dusky flathead caught in the Hunter River for commercial fishers. A market research study was initiated to provide an estimate of the likely ‘ and ’ of this issue The research was conducted with two target groups of consumers:
o first, among Newcastle consumers (those who live within 50 km of Newcastle) and
o secondly, consumers who live 50 km 200 km from Newcastle
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Industry
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Industry
Environment
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PROJECT NUMBER • 2022-075
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

National Workshop to develop a regional collaborative plan to control the invasive Longspined Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii)

The 2023 National Centrostephanus Workshop was convened by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. The workshop brought together 130 representatives from industry, government, research, Aboriginal communities, recreational fishing groups, and the community to: • Identify...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE TAS)
Environment
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