Summary

This research, led by the Aboriginal Sea Company, aims to identify the specific needs and barriers faced by Traditional Owners (TOs) in effectively participating in resource management and harvesting on their Sea Country. It will also develop tailored strategies to address these gaps. This work will help ensure that TOs have greater ownership of, and investment in, resource management initiatives and can contribute meaningfully to the sustainable management of marine resources on their Sea Country.

The project will also support the development and growth of Indigenous businesses and initiatives by increasing the skills, capacity, and capability of Indigenous people in the commercial fishing industry. Ultimately, this will lead to greater economic self-sufficiency and prosperity for Indigenous communities. Additionally, the project will explore the potential of establishing an Indigenous fishing cooperative as a mechanism to facilitate greater economic participation in the industry.

Expected outcomes

• Creating workplace environments in the seafood industry that align with Indigenous values by securing the relevant fishing or aquaculture licences.
• Establishing Indigenous joint ventures (JVs) with seafood industry partners who share and respect Indigenous cultural values.
• Generating more job opportunities, particularly in remote coastal communities where the majority of the population is Indigenous and unemployment rates are approximately 50%.
• Developing an Indigenous specific-seafood marketing brand, supported by tools and multimedia platforms. This initiative would also create training and employment opportunities for Indigenous people who may not wish to work directly in fishing or aquaculture.
• Creating downstream business opportunities for Aboriginal people, such as multimedia production, cultural tourism (aligned with fishing tourism), and marketing through an Indigenous lens (e.g. artwork and branding design).
• Promoting local sales of affordable seafood into remote communities, offering healthier food options and adding value to existing seafood products by incorporating local Aboriginal flavours, such as bush foods and spices.
• Engaging with like-minded partners who have environmental stewardship. This includes promoting improved fishing practices, reducing carbon footprints, adopting low-tech aquaculture methods, and enhanced biodiversity by utilising by-products – regardless of their monetary value.