This project is needed for three main reasons:

1. It directly addresses a NT RAC priority in the 2019 call for funding applications relating to improving sustainable yield estimates to inform stock assessment programs for undefined target species and protected species in the Offshore Net and Line Fishery. The project will support sustainable fishing practices for important commercial fisheries in the NT and the development of new commercial opportunities within these fisheries: The impacts of fishery activities on these species, either through bycatch or targeted harvest, are difficult to assess in the absence of information on population connectivity and stock structure.

2. The project will develop capacity for fisheries research and monitoring in NT waters. Genetics methods are widely applied to fisheries research and monitoring and training of an early career fisheries scientist in the application and interpretation of genetic data will be a key outcome of this project.

3. The project will provide key information to support the transition of these species from bycatch to a harvested byproduct species, including an evaluation of leading-edge genetic techniques in fisheries assessment and monitoring.

The National Fishing and Aquaculture RD&E Strategy makes note of the ongoing challenge in engagement with stakeholders with specific reference to Indigenous peoples and identifies gaps in capability in regional extension. In areas managed and owned by Aboriginal people, the potential for Indigenous owned and run seafood enterprises is yet to be fully realised. The NT Department of Resources, Fisheries Division has identified the need for a more coordinated and better resourced support service for Indigenous seafood-related businesses is seen as a positive step towards increased participation by Yolngu in the seafood industry. This is a pilot initiative that may be extended.

Previous work has highlighted the pivotal roles of engagement, training development and workforce skill development. The need to develop a program of coordinated education and training in seafood and small business skills has been identified as one of the objectives in this process. The research team has extensive experience in developing Indigenous training frameworks and materials that support the negotiation and implementation of training that is Indigenous led, taught or reinforced in Aboriginal languages, contextualised locally and incorporates multimedia to ensure knowledge is recorded, translated and kept in the community. The current delivery of seafood related training and materials to support enterprise development is not coordinated, the delivery methods are patchy and the areas of study relevant to the enterprise development are not contextualised and often not available in an appropriate mode.

Action on these issues would address FRDC Program 3: Communities; Theme 10 Resilient and supportive communities and the RD&E priorities focused on resilience from the perspective of Indigenous peoples located across the top-end.

The project scope of training frameworks, standards and knowledge structures would also contribute to the RD&E priorities from the perspective of Indigenous peoples as listed in FRDC Theme 12: Workforce development.