A series of workshops for Native Title holders, to be held in coastal locations between Shark Bay and Wyndham, will get underway from tomorrow.
Funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) and Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the first of the workshops will be held on Wednesday with the Mayala Aboriginal Corporation in Broome.
The CRCNA is delivering industry-led research and development that de-risks investment in Northern Australia, with a focus on First Nations led business development in fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, water security and health service delivery.
Up to ten workshops are being planned with prescribed body corporates in northern WA, to provide information and capacity building, guided by Kimberley not for profit group Morrgul who are facilitating the workshops.
Each workshop is aimed at building a good understanding of commercial fishing and aquaculture operations and the potential within areas overseen by the body corporates.
In addition, the workshops will help DPIRD to gauge the appetite, awareness, and level of interest in developing commercial Aboriginal fishing opportunities, with the key species around WA’s northern coast being mud crabs, sea cucumber and black-lipped oysters.
DPIRD’s Manager for Aboriginal Economic Development said it was good to be joining forces with the CRC for Developing Northern Australia to support these workshops.
“We know there’s high interest in exploring commercial fishing opportunities among Native Title holders in Western Australia,” Mrs Hartman said.
“It’s important that Aboriginal fishing operations can be established and reducing the risk for future enterprises is a vital aspect in planning and building successful operations.
“The upcoming workshops will assist First Nations led businesses to make informed decisions that de-risk commercial fishing opportunities, which can deliver salt water Aboriginal Corporations with authorised consent to operate on native title land and water.”
CRCNA’s Chief Executive Operations, Ms Sarah Docherty explained how fisheries research has the potential to create culturally appropriate and new sustainable economic industries on Country for regional and remote communities across the north.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting the development of new aquaculture products suited to tropical climates that establishes less reliance on imports and creates local industry capacity through expanded production,” Ms Docherty said.
Media contacts:
Ashley Malone, DPIRD media liaison 0418 901 767.
Bel Carlson, CRCNA enquiry@crcna.com.au
