Aboriginal commercial fishing and aquaculture (WA)

Project locations: Broome, Derby, Kununurra/Wyndham, Karratha/Dampier, Carnarvon/Shark Bay

Project partners: WA Dept. Primary Industries and Regional Development ; Morrgul Pty Ltd

Project summary and impacts

This project builds upon existing government support structures, research, and identified industry needs to develop Aboriginal ownership and participation in Western Australia’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.

The project has three key focus areas:

1. De-risking new commercialisation pathways for three key species – sea cucumber, mud crab and black-lipped rock oyster – identified as suitable from the Northern Gascoyne waters through to the Kimberley.
2. Delivering an introductory workshop package on regionally appropriate commercial fishing and aquaculture opportunities to saltwater Aboriginal Corporations with authorised consent to operate on native title land and waters.
3. Drawing implications from the project back towards a Northern WA-wide policy and planning approach towards de-risking for Aboriginal fishing and aquaculture, consistent with the WA Aquaculture Development Plan.