Workshop calls for greater inclusion of First Nations

Published: 21 March 2023 Updated: 22 March 2023
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CATEGORY
DATE 22 Mar 2023
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The importance of Sea Country was the focus of an Indigenous workshop including twenty delegates from Australian and New Zealand First Nations communities during the International Seaweed Symposium held in Hobart.  

Sharing knowledge, building benefits for First Nations people, recognising ongoing custodianship of Sea Country as well as concerns over cultural resources, were the main themes discussed at the Indigenous workshop. 

External review of the FRDC's Indigenous fishing and aquaculture coordination program

Project number: 2022-111
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $46,000.00
Principal Investigator: Russell J. Barnett
Organisation: Australian Venture Consultants Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 19 Jan 2023 - 30 Mar 2023
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Indigenous

Need

The objective of this project is to undertake an independent review of the IRG’s operations and impacts to date in accordance with the below-described Terms of Reference and report on that review.
Terms of Reference
The specific terms of reference for this independent review are:
1. Undertake an assessment of the impact of the IRG against its current scope, and provide recommendations on how to improve adoption and impact for Indigenous fishing and aquaculture and cultural fishing RD&E; and
2. Provide recommendations on the future governance structure, function and membership of a revised IRG body to deliver RD&E priorities to the FRDC that improve opportunities for Indigenous Australians in fishing and aquaculture and cultural fishing.
For the purposes of clarity, it is understood that the scope of the review pertains only to:
▪ The IRG’s current purpose (i.e. to provide advice to the FRDC) and is not intended to consider the question of a peak body for the Australian First Nations fishing and aquaculture industry; and
▪ First Nations commercial fishing and aquaculture and is only relevant to customary fishing where there might be a natural intersection (such as the nature of fishing rights, use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in fishing practices and management and use of cultural branding for commercial product) and it does not include First Nations participation in recreational fishing

Objectives

1. The objective of this project is to undertake an independent review of the IRG’s operations and impacts to date in accordance with the below-described Terms of Reference and report on that review.

Final report

Author: Russell Barnett
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 
Final Report • 2023-08-09 • 577.37 KB
2022-111-DLD.pdf

Summary

Since its inception as part of the Cairns Forums, the Indigenous Reference Group (‘IRG’) to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (‘FRDC’) has served as the principal method by which the FRDC seeks to engage with Australia’s First Nations and First Peoples as it discharges its statutory responsibilities. 

Broadly, the IRG is charged with providing to the FRDC strategic- and programme-level advice on the fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension (‘RD&E’) needs of First Nations and First Peoples across Australia. Under this core remit sit a number of complementary functions, including commissioning research, providing advice to the FRDC executive and Board on First Nations RD&E-related matters, networking, capacity building and profile raising, and other such operational and procedural matters. 

The FRDC has commissioned this Governance Review to assess the impacts and outputs of the IRG against its core remit and current scope and provide recommendations as to any changes needed to the IRG or its operations in order to improve adoption and impact of First Nations RD&E, increase opportunities for Australia’s First Peoples to participate in fishing and aquaculture, and deliver against and help shape the FRDC’s First Nations RD&E priorities. These recommendations should address governance structure, function, membership and other core aspects of the IRG. 

In the process of this Review, Australian Venture Consultants has: 
• Sought to understand the specific operational, strategic and jurisdictional context in which the FRDC and IRG operates;
• Undertaken extensive desktop and documentary review of the IRG and its deliberative processes, Project Reports relating to specific projects in which the IRG is said to have made significant contributions, and other supporting material provided by the FRDC;
• Consulted widely with FRDC executive, past and present IRG members, and other key stakeholders including industry, government, First Nations and other users of the marine estate; and
• Examined the nature, structure, resourcing, and functions of other comparable First Nations advisory and reference bodies, primarily those operating within the fisheries and aquaculture sphere, both within Australia and internationally.

Very broadly, the findings of these investigative processes may be summarised in four key observations. 
Observation 1: The IRG operates in a complex environment and is called upon to do many things. 
The IRG operates in a complex environment that can be described across three dimensions – strategic, operational and procedural – and under various lenses within those dimensions. Secondly, from an operational dimension, the IRG acts in a sphere wherein the nature of First Nations tenure and rights over Sea Country is variable among the jurisdictions, as are resource allocation and licensing frameworks. 
Finally, from a procedural perspective, while it appears that the IRG and FRDC are clear on the remit of the IRG, because the IRG is the only formalised national body operating in the First Nations fishing and aquaculture sector, there is a tendency for external stakeholders to have an expectation that the IRG has been established to address all issues associated with the First Nations fishing sector, not just R,D&E. 

Observation 2: The IRG has been highly successful in elevating awareness of First Nations fisheries and aquaculture needs and has significantly enhanced RD&E output. 
Across all stakeholders consulted but particularly amongst fisheries regulators and decision-makers, there has been a consistent message that the IRG has made a significant contribution to raising the profile and awareness of the First Nations fishing sector, its opportunities and the challenges it faces. 
 
Observation 3: The IRG faces a number of challenges which are unlikely to abate and, without resolution, will likely detract from its future performance. 
As evidenced by desktop review and validated by interviews, the IRG faces several challenges in delivering against its core remit: 
• Focusing limited resources
• Achieving industry-wide engagement 
• Driving adoption 
• Limited human capital and succession options
• Operational and administrative challenges. 

Observation 4: The IRG compares well to other advisory bodies in Australia. International perspectives are not comparable due to dramatically jurisdictional differences, but may indicate emerging best practices. 
In very broad summary, most First Nations consultation across Australia is ad-hoc, limited temporally or spatially, and limited in scope. The IRG is relatively unique in its longevity, depth, breadth and developed institutional expertise. 

Recommendations 
The report clearly identifies that the IRG has and continues to perform a key role, not only in the FRDC’s decision-making processes but for the First Nations sector more broadly. However, as the sector grows and its opportunities and challenge elevate further in the agendas of both government and industry, it is clear that the First Nations fishing industry representative framework within the FRDC and the external structures that inform that framework will also need to evolve. 
To this end, this Review makes the following recommendations: 
• Recommendation 1: First Nations fishing RD&E representation planning and resourcing summit Recommendation 2: IRG to continue for the immediate future with enhanced administrative resourcing 
• Recommendation 3: First Nations participation on FRDC Research Advisory Groups 
• Recommendation 4: Embedding First Nations perspectives in the FRDC organisational structure 
• Recommendation 5: Establishing the case for a First Nations fishing Representative Body structure 
 

Integrating indigenous fishing: extending adoption pathways to policy and management

Project number: 2022-076
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $140,000.00
Principal Investigator: Stan Lui
Organisation: Indigenous Marine Resources Consultants Australia (IMRCA)
Project start/end date: 14 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2024
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Indigenous
Fisheries Management

Need

See Opportunities section

Objectives

1. Document the impediments and opportunities for Indigenous engagement and adoption of IRG project outputs across fisheries management jurisdictions in Australia.
2. Identify the priorities for Indigenous fishing in jurisdictions with a focus on the 5 IRG RD&E priorities.
3. Develop a report synthesizing the impediments, opportunities and priorities for Indigenous fishing engagement and adoption to guide future IRG investment.
4. Develop a template for future IRG projects that will ensure engagement and adoption are maximized.
5. Professional development and capacity building of the Indigenous Principal Investigator and grow cultural awareness in wider participants.

Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait in order to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods

Project number: 2022-045
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $234,002.20
Principal Investigator: Natasha Stacey
Organisation: Charles Darwin University (CDU)
Project start/end date: 28 Nov 2022 - 27 Jun 2024
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Indigenous
Fisheries Management
Data

Need

Following the initial groundwork to assess community support and approaches for a non-commercial fishery monitoring program in the Torres Strait (Bedford et al 2021 - https://www.pzja.gov.au/sites/default/files/final_report_-_monitoring_the_non-commercial_catch_in_torres_strait_update_06042021.pdf ), the following five steps were proposed:
1. Community consultation and sign on (engaging community re support for the suggested monitoring method).
2. Assess self-reporting web-based tool/APP platform design and development options (including data collection and storage options), through co-design with communities and Government to meet stakeholder needs.
3. Develop self-reporting web-based tool/APP platform, database and data flow infrastructure.
4. Community rollout – pilot (in some communities).
5. Community rollout – full-scale (to all communities).

The Torres Strait Scientific Advisory Committee (TSSAC) recommended that steps 1 and 2 (above) be undertaken first and they form the scope of this proposal.

As also noted in the TSSAC committee meeting of June 2021, the project was an initiative of the quota working group subcommittee of the Torres Strait Regional Authority Board, and identified as a priority by the Traditional Inhabitants (https://www.pzja.gov.au/sites/default/files/tssac_79_meeting_record_final.pdf). In particular, by ‘improving estimates of non-commercial catch of commercial species to inform stock assessment and set sustainable catch levels, as well as determine the catch sharing between the sunset sector, and how much to allocate for community consumption, in order to protect Traditional non-commercial catches and help ensure sustainable management.’

As noted in the ‘Opportunity’ section of this proposal, this project help fill a range of needs for Torres Strait communities, including:
• More accurate assessment of the Recommended Biological Catches of commercial species from all sources of fishing in the Torres Strait
• Reliable assessments of ongoing catches from the substantial non-commercial sectors in the Torres Strait, including knowledge of future change in catches that may be due to pressures from fishing, coastal industry, climate change, other ecosystem regime change
• Stronger ownership of marine resource management by Torres Strait communities, including ownership of non-commercial catch information, and supported by improved knowledge of the temporal and spatial dynamics of non-commercial catches.

The previous project also concluded that a non-commercial fishery monitoring program would have the best chance of success by gaining broad and committed acceptance by local communities and their leaders, with a strong co-design component. The need for this level of consultation was re-iterated by Traditional Inhabitants in several PZJA fishery management fora, including the TSSAC. This project is designed to meet that need.

The proposed project aligns strongly with the Torres Strait Fisheries Strategic Research Plan (https://www.pzja.gov.au/sites/default/files/tssac_srp_2018-2022_post_tssac_final.pdf). In particular:
• Theme 1: Protecting the Torres Strait marine environment for the benefit of Traditional Inhabitants; which is based on improving effective management of fishery stocks in order to support Traditional Inhabitant social and economic needs; which is an expectation of the improved fishery data outputs from the project.
• Theme 2: Social and Economic Benefits; which promotes social and economic benefits for Traditional Inhabitants from Torres Strait fisheries; for example, through increased capacity required to manage the program and increased knowledge of any future changes in catches through space and time in the Torres Strait.
• Theme 3: Technology and Innovation; which promotes the development of technology to support the economic, environmental and social benefits from the fishing sector.

This research project is co funded by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority of the Australian Government. Project co- investigators are Kenny Bedford, David Brewer and Timothy Skewes.

Objectives

1. Collate and review existing and new information about the potential options for a non-commercial fishery monitoring program as recommended by Bedford et al. (2021)
2. Assess the level of community need and support (or otherwise) for a non-commercial fishery monitoring program through a comprehensive and equitable community consultation and participation process throughout Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area communities
3. Develop cost and performance options for a non-commercial fishery monitoring program and its components (e.g. self-reporting web-based tool/APP platform
data management, storage and access
complimented surveys) to allow for an assessment of value (e.g. meeting needs, ease of use, maintenance and data use in stock assessments)

Final report

Authors: Kenny Bedford David Brewer Timothy Skewes and Natasha Stacey
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 

Project products

Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 7.63 MB
2022-045-Indigenous App-Torres Strait-FactSheet A4-PRINT VERSION.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) web version.
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.
Final Report • 2024-12-31 • 4.61 MB
2022-045-DLD.pdf

Summary

Traditional fishing in the Torres Strait Region has, and continues to be, important for livelihood sustainability for all Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a source of kai kai or food, nutrition and other social, cultural and spiritual benefits. Protection of the marine environment and maintenance of traditional activities, such as traditional fishing, are key pillars of the Torres Strait Treaty (1985).  

The long-term sustainability of all fisheries in the Torres Strait region requires reliable catch data from all sectors, including commercial and non-commercial (traditional and recreational). This data is not only a priority for managing key commercial species, such as Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), coral trout (Plectropomus spp) and Tropical (Ornate) Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus), also caught by traditional and recreational sectors, but also for the many other traditionally fished species that communities rely on. Commercial fisheries have management programs in place and data contributes to assessments that are central to management decisions. However, fish catches from the traditional and recreational fishery sectors are largely unquantified, except for some historic snapshot surveys and are either currently not monitored, or only in a very limited way. Torres Strait Islanders have expressed concern for their traditional fisheries and the need to protect them to ensure food security needs. Monitoring traditional fishing catches from both traditional and recreational fishing sectors has also been identified as a high priority in numerous Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) fisheries committees over recent years. This project aimed to contribute knowledge to support a future monitoring program to address these data gaps. 

The project presents two primary recommendations. The first applies to the development and support of a pilot program for a bespoke traditional fishing app in the Torres Strait (separate from the recreational fishery program); and the second, to support concurrent promotion of the Queensland Government recreational fishing monitoring app (currently using the Qld fishing 2.0 app) program to monitor the Torres Strait recreational fishery. 
Fact Sheet • 2024-12-31 • 2.17 MB
2022-045-FactSheet-WEB.pdf

Summary

This Fact Sheet supplements the FRDC Final Report '2022-045 Measuring non-commercial fishing catches (traditional fishing) in the Torres Strait to improve fisheries management and promote sustainable livelihoods'. It is a summary of what the project is about; key findings; principles and best practice approaches for app development; and recommendations. There are two versions of this Fact Sheet: (i) Print version and (ii) Web version.

Incorporating Aboriginal perspectives into fishery management review processes, using the Northern Territory Barramundi Fishery as a case study

Project number: 2021-098
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $505,392.00
Principal Investigator: Rachel Groom
Organisation: Charles Darwin University (CDU) Northern Institute
Project start/end date: 28 Apr 2022 - 30 Dec 2025
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Rac Nt
Management
Indigenous
Fisheries Management
Finfish Fisheries
SPECIES
Barramundi

Need

Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC.

Objectives

Commercial in confidence

Related research

All research
research
Industry
Blank
Industry
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Partnering in change opportunities

Analysis of historical sea urchin research for improved management of nearshore fisheries in New South Wales

Project number: 2021-060
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $107,000.00
Principal Investigator: Neil Andrew
Organisation: University of Wollongong
Project start/end date: 31 May 2022 - 31 Mar 2023
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Rac Nsw
Indigenous
Fisheries Management
Climate Adaptation
Ageing
SPECIES
Blacklip Abalone
Sea Urchins

Need

The creation, persistence, and demise of sea urchin barrens is the most significant ecological dynamic on southeast Australian rocky reefs. Sea urchin barrens cover ca. 50% of nearshore reefs in NSW and have rapidly grown in Tasmania and far eastern Victoria. The creation and/or persistence of barrens has devastating impacts on a range of commercial and recreational fisheries, most notably abalone.

Managing fisheries to deliver societal benefits within the ecological regime driven by sea urchins presents a profound challenge. Dynamics external to the fishery are very influential and challenge classical fisheries governance paradigms. Overlayed on these ecological challenges are diverse stakeholders that have different visions for nearshore reefs and therefore the definitions of success.

New management objectives will be required, some of which will mean manipulating ecosystems and human behaviours to avoid thresholds in ecological variables in, among other species, sea urchin abundance, rather than optimizing yields in a classical fisheries sense. New institutional relationships will be required among policy makers, Indigenous groups, conservationists, and the fishing industry as they grapple with potential alternative futures for these reefs.

Considerable momentum is emerging in NSW to engage with this wicked problem. A unique opportunity exists to re-imagine the management of NSW reefs; to design a management regime in which all stakeholders have a place at the table. Fundamental to developing common purpose among diverse stakeholders will be a shared and scientifically informed understanding of the underlying ecology of reefs. This understanding will enable and promote the design for a spatial regime that serves multiple management and cultural objectives.

Achieving that shared understanding is hampered by the unavailability of scientific studies of the fisheries and ecology of sea urchins in southeast Australia. There is an urgent need to bring the comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of Centrostephanus on NSW reefs and relevance to fisheries (abalone, sea urchins) into the public domain to contribute more effectively to management.

Objectives

1. Analyse historical unpublished data on the ecology of Centrostephanus and its interactions with nearshore biota and augment the findings with oral histories of fishers to inform desirable outcomes for nearshore reef management
2. Submit research findings in the primary scientific literature as five papers and share findings with the primary nearshore reef stakeholders in the form of an accessible synthesis of all research findings.
3. Share findings and conclusions with key stakeholders from NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.