Aboriginal fisheries in New South Wales, Australia
A project to describe Aboriginal fisheries in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, got underway in early 1999. The project is funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government’s Natural Heritage Trust, through the Fisheries Action Program. Three broad geographical regions will be covered: northern NSW, where work is nearing completion; and southern and western NSW, which will be studied in the second and third years of the project. Indigenous fisheries knowledge (IFK) will be recorded and the issues related to it will be identified.

Indigenous fishing in NSW is not well understood by outsiders. Fish is a traditional food of Aboriginal people, but nowadays they are forced to observe the regulations and catch restrictions of the recreational fishing sector. A key problem has been that the fishing efforts of an Aboriginal family or community are often concentrated—that is, an individual or a small group may fish for others as well as themselves. Thus their catch appears excessive and is often in breach of regulations. Aboriginal fishermen are therefore frequently fined and prosecuted. Not only does this stifle their fishing activities, it also discourages Aboriginals from passing on their knowledge and practices to the younger generation. Enforcement of regulations designed for recreational fishing therefore counteracts efforts to preserve IFK.

The project has a major consultative component. Researchers ask the communities to identify the fishery resources they currently use. During these discussions, the subject of indigenous knowledge itself is raised, and the value of its potential documentation. The researchers explain why and how this knowledge should be treated as intellectual property, and discuss the protocol of fully informed prior consent in the context of the project.

Up to now the researchers’ experiences with the IFK component have been mixed. The majority of people they have talked to are hesitant to have any IFK formally recorded. Some people have expressed willingness to cooperate on condition that their own cultural protocols are observed. Among other things, this means that the approval of Elders is required.

Factors that hinder the recording of IFK have been identified. The main problem is that people worry that they will have no control over who uses the recorded information and how. Many communities lack the infrastructure to store and safeguard recorded knowledge to their satisfaction. Also, the cultural protocols associated with IFK require a special consultative approach. Communities need to feel confident that they will not lose control over the recorded information, and more time and resources are needed in order to consult and engage Elders. If this is not done, little progress can be made in recording the significant amount of IFK that does exist.

The project is also hampered by external factors which affect Aborignal fisheries in general. These include the lack of recognition of Aboriginal fisheries and fishing rights, the history of deceit and inaction on the part of governments and previous researchers, and the lack of legislative protection for indigenous intellectual property.

Their experiences have sharpened the researchers, and the continuation of the project elsewhere in New South Wales will benefit from what they have learned. It is envisaged that the project, when complete, will contribute to a better understanding of Aboriginal fisheries in NSW on the part of natural-resource managers, students, and the commercial and recreational fishing sectors.

For more information please contact: Associate Professor Stephan Schnierer, project coordinator, or: research officer Adam Faulkner, Indigenous Environmental Research Centre, College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.

Tel.: +61-2-6620 3542.

Fax: +61-2-6620 3958.

Email: afaulkne@scu.edu.au

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