Maintaining cultural practices and building knowledge and capacity to support sustainable fishing of the Gynburra on Narungga Sea Country
The Narungga people of Yorke Peninsula developed the historic 10-year Buthera Agreement that was signed with the SA Government in 2018. This agreement aims to provide capacity- building support for the Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation to drive development, economic enterprise and collaborative engagement with government agencies on Guuranda. Initiatives in the Agreement include projects relating to health, education and cultural studies, in partnership between government and the Narungga people.
There is very little known about Gynburra (Butterfish; Strongfish) from scientific, biological and environmental view-points. We the Narungga people would like to know about the fishery biology and ecology of this culturally significant species to understand the whole life cycle of this culturally significant beautiful, elegant and powerful fish. This will ensure we are able to pass down traditional and scientific knowledge to our younger generations to ensure Gynburra’s sustainability into the future, and highlight the important cultural and social value of the species. We also have a significant need to develop the skills to allow our people their equal right to develop skills, capabilities and capacities in the areas of fishery science and stewardship in ways that link directly to our Sea Country and inline with the cultural values underpinned by the Buthera Agreement with the South Australian Government.