A community meeting will be held at Narooma Golf Club later this month for the Department of Primary Industries to seek feedback on its draft Aboriginal cultural fishing regulation.
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The regulation, under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, will formally recognise small-scale domestic cultural fishing practices by providing special provisions to allow Aboriginal people to fish for cultural purposes.
It has been in the making since the NSW Parliament passed changes to the Fisheries Management Act in 2009 that recognised cultural fishing access.
Members of the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Rights Group argue the regulation is not needed as cultural fishing is already enshrined in the Act.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) recreational and Indigenous fisheries director Peter Turnell said the Department was actively seeking community input on the “important” regulation.
“This regulation will provide formal recognition, certainty and daily access arrangements for all Aboriginal people in NSW when engaging in cultural fishing activities,” Mr Turnell said.
“By formally recognising the rules, it also provides greater certainty for management of the resource so it can continue to be sustainably shared by everyone.”
Mr Turnell said the consultation was an opportunity for Aboriginal people to learn what was in the regulation and provide feedback.
He encouraged them to have their say.
“DPI has been working with the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council (AFAC) during the development process to better understand cultural fishing needs and targeted consultation with the Aboriginal community was also undertaken last year to seek feedback regarding content of the cultural fishing rules
Mr Turnell said the DPI will host community meetings throughout October as part of the next round of consultation, commencing this long weekend at the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout in Dubbo.
“DPI will have a stand at the Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout and with around 20,000 people expected to attend over the weekend, this is a great opportunity to engage with individuals to explain the regulation and get feedback, especially with inland community members,” Mr Turnell said.
Community consultation includes a community meeting at the Narooma Golf Club on Wednesday, October 28 from 4pm to 5.30pm.
The consultation paper can be accessed and feedback provided at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
The closing date for feedback is Monday, November 9.
