11 December, 2024

The NSW Government has released its Aboriginal Fishing Draft Regulation (Draft Regulation). The Draft Regulation is open for consultation until 16 February 2025. Submissions can be made here.

The NSW Government states the purpose of the draft regulation is to support the commencement of section 21AA (a special provision for Aboriginal cultural fishing) and to provide daily take and possession limits for fish and invertebrates that recognise the spiritual, social and customary significance of fisheries resources to Aboriginal people that can be applied across NSW within a sustainable natural resource management framework.

The NSWALC Council has and continue to advocate for the immediate commencement of s21AA of the Fisheries Management Act without regulations or restrictions.

“The NSW Government must acknowledge Aboriginal peoples are holders of specific Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Traditional Fishing Knowledge accumulated over millennia, and have sustainably managed fish stocks over this time,’’ NSWALC Chairperson Cr Raymond Kelly said. “This is Caring for Country, and clear evidence of self-regulation, which has been occurring for thousands of years.’’

Cr Danny Chapman, the NSWALC Councillor for the South Coast Region, an area which has borne the brunt of cultural fishing harassment and prosecutions in NSW, said the commencement of s21AA with bag limits will not stop the prosecutions, harassment and intimidation.

“Aboriginal people need proper protection for our fishing rights, which includes access for both cultural and commercial activities’’ Cr Chapman said. He questioned how restrictions such as bag limits will allow continued Community sustenance, health and well being.

“Bag limits on culturally important species, such as abalone, are a direct attack on Aboriginal fishers. This won’t allow sharing of catch within community and will not support continuing connection to Country. It is a very disappointing development, especially here on the South Coast,” Cr Chapman said.

Further information on the Draft Regulation can be found below.

NSWALC Fishing Rights Advocacy

Draft Aboriginal Fishing Regulation | Department of Primary Industries

Stakeholder webinars

The Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development has announced a stakeholder engagement schedule.

There is a dedicated NSWALC and LALC independently facilitated webinar on 14 January 2025, other dates are below.

The Zoom link to register is here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpfuCvqDIoHNdHrStcm-FI5aA6G1JQHL1Q