Principles announced today can guide the future development of fishing strategies for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders across Australia.
The principles, which are not legally binding, encourage the recognition of traditional fishing practices and greater indigenous involvement in commercial fisheries, charter fishing and eco-tourism activities.
The principles are the outcome of twelve month's work by the National Indigenous Fishing Technical Working Group. NIFTWG was established in October 2003 in response to a resolution passed by delegates at the Indigenous Fishing Rights Conference in Perth.
It is comprised of experts from the seafood industries, recreational fishing, indigenous fishing, native title, and state and federal governments. NIFTWG is chaired by National Native Title Tribunal Members Mr John Catlin and Mr Bardy McFarlane.
In June 2004, after a series of meetings with stakeholders, NIFTWG confirmed that there was broad support for developing national principles which establish a policy framework to assist the involvement of Indigenous people in fishing and marine resource management. Since then the Tribunal has coordinated discussions between stakeholders on the content of the principles.
Formal endorsement is now being sought with all stakeholders, including Governments.
The principles are based on recognition of both indigenous traditions related to freshwater and saltwater environments and contemporary commercial aspirations. They encourage governments to protect the traditional fishing practices of Indigenous people and support greater indigenous involvement in marine management and related businesses.
Support for the principles does not affect the legal rights of any party, or limit Indigenous people's scope to pursue other options.
Principles
1. Indigenous people were the first custodians of Australia's marine and freshwater environments: Australia's fisheries and aquatic environment management strategies should respect and accommodate this.
2. Customary fishing is to be defined and incorporated by Governments into fisheries management regimes, so as to afford it protection.
3. Customary fishing is fishing in accordance with relevant Indigenous laws and customs for the purpose of satisfying personal, domestic or non-commercial communal needs. Specific frameworks for customary fishing may vary throughout Australia by reference, for example, to marine zones, fish species, Indigenous community locations and traditions or their access to land and water.
4.Recognition of customary fishing will translate, wherever possible, into a share in the overall allocation of sustainable managed fisheries.
5. In the allocation of marine and freshwater resources, the customary sector should be recognised as a sector in its own right, alongside recreational and commercial sectors, ideally within the context of future integrated fisheries management strategies.
6. Governments and other stakeholders will work together to, at minimum, implement assistance strategies to increase Indigenous participation in fisheries-related businesses, including the recreational and charter sectors.
7. Increased Indigenous participation in fisheries related businesses and fisheries management, together with related vocational development, must be expedited.