Indigenous fishing issues

Native title determinations – the Blue Mud Bay decision and the increase of Indigenous Protected Areas have all supported an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in the management of their sea country. However many people are finding it difficult to utilise their natural resources and waters to develop business.

This session aims to provide a space to increase participant’s awareness of economic development opportunities and build upon the learning’s of previous and existing approaches. This session will be structured to provide a series of short presentations on:

The current state and territory approach to Aboriginal participation and recognition in fisheries legislation and management.
Examples of Indigenous economic development in Fisheries and Aquaculture (NT Fisheries and from Torres Strait).
Indigenous driven research and development to support participation in fisheries and aquaculture.

A group discussion will follow these presentations to provide attendees an opportunity to discuss their experiences and aspirations for economic development. The outcome of this session will include:

Increased participants understanding of opportunities and approaches to support their economic development aspirations;
Improved networks between Indigenous peoples, researches, Government and potentially industry; and
Increased awareness of Indigenous peoples experiences, aspirations, barriers and impediments to utilise their natural resources.