There are currently no specific management arrangements in place for the traditional, subsistence or contemporary economic use of fish resources by Aboriginal people in Western Australia. There is a need to include these uses into Western Australia’s fisheries management framework to ensure long term sustainability objectives will be met.
The Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (the Act) applies to Aboriginal people with the exception that they do not have to hold a recreational fishing licence. The Act does not specifically recognize customary, communal or subsistence fishing activities. There is a need for the Act to be consistent with the Native Title Act 1993 (which allows for personal, domestic or non-commercial communal needs) and to include Aboriginal fishing more specifically in order to provide the basis for effective policy and management arrangements.
There is a need to research and develop, in partnership with stakeholders, options for public discussion that will lead to the development of policy guidelines and legislative amendments relating to Aboriginal fishing in Western Australia.
Fisheries WA is also included in State Government strategies to assist Aboriginal economic development from the sustainable use of fish resources.
Final report
The Western Australian Aboriginal Fishing Strategy (the “strategy”) was developed following a three-year consultative process overseen by former Western Australian Supreme Court Judge, the Hon E M Franklyn QC. Formulation of the draft strategy was assisted by a working group, which included representatives of Aboriginal interests, the fishing sector, conservation interests and government.
The strategy provides recommendations to the Western Australian Government, focusing on three areas - recognition and inclusion of customary fishing in fisheries legislation; inclusion of Aboriginal people in the management of fish resources; and, promotion of economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people in the fishing, aquatic eco-tourism and aquaculture industries.
The strategy was developed in response to growing needs to recognise and include customary fishing rights and interests in a sustainable fisheries management framework.
