Indigenous engagement in Commonwealth fisheries

A major UTS project aims to support better engagement between First Nations communities with connections to oceans and Sea Country, and the Commonwealth government agencies that manage commercial fisheries.

The project team, co-led by Dr Nick McClean, a research fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is working closely with senior Indigenous fisheries researchers and the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. The team is working to connect with First Nations and traditional owner groups around Australia who have rights and interests in offshore areas.

“First Nations people have strong connections to seas and oceans, as well as deep knowledge and unique perspectives on how to manage marine resources in a sustainable way,” Dr McClean said.

“Following recent legislative changes to the Commonwealth Fisheries Management Act, Commonwealth government agencies now have an obligation to take into account the interests of Indigenous groups when making decisions about how Commonwealth fisheries are managed.

“By consulting with Indigenous groups, Australian fisheries can benefit from this knowledge and close connection, and work together to create a more sustainable and equitable fishing industry that recognises the cultural, social and economic interests of traditional owners.”

Dr McClean said marine connections to country have historically received a lot less attention than those related to land and coastal areas.

“First Nations have been asserting the strength of their connections to Sea Country for a very long time, and inquiries since the 1980s are filled with the aspirations for greater recognition of these connections.

"There is finally a growing recognition that industries and governments need to work with Indigenous groups when making decisions about resource development and environmental management in marine zones," he said.

There is finally a growing recognition that industries and governments need to work with Indigenous groups when making decisions about resource development and environmental management in marine zones.

Dr Nick McClean

Tiwi Islands residents recently won a significant legal battle against energy giant Santos, forcing the company to halt drilling on a major gas project off Australia’s northern coast while it consulted with traditional owners.

Five Indigenous groups also recently celebrated recognition by the Federal Court of traditional ownership of about 65,000 square kilometres of sea and land around the tip of Cape York and into the Torres Strait, with the area extending out to the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

Dr McClean said the new project will encourage Indigenous groups to proactively shape the conversation around these offshore areas. He hopes it will it lead to changes in how industries work together with Indigenous communities and groups for mutual benefit.

“The intention is to develop an engagement strategy that enables a respectful and productive relationship between First Nations groups and these government agencies, and for First Nations to have a meaningful say on the implementation of policies and management processes that effect their interests in fisheries and Sea Country. We hope it also provides an example for how engagement can occur for other sectors, and in other jurisdictions.”

The team will be undertaking discussions with Indigenous groups throughout regional Australia to feed into the strategy from June this year, and any Indigenous groups, as well as businesses and communities associated with the fishing industry, or offshore industries generally, are invited to get in touch with the research team.

More information can be found here.

This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. Project Reference FRDC 2021-024: Development of an Indigenous engagement strategy for fishing interests with a focus on Commonwealth fisheries.