Engagement with traditional fishers
Fisheries Queensland is committed to improving engagement with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy is implemented.
The strategy outlines two key actions directly relevant to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders:
- work with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders to engage them in fisheries management
- develop a traditional fishing policy to clarify the arrangements and develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander commercial fishing development policy to support Indigenous economic development in a way that also supports sustainable fishing.
In addition, cultural liaison officer roles have been created within the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) to facilitate relationships between Indigenous communities, Indigenous land and sea rangers, and QBFP officers.
Since January 2018, these officers have made significant progress building relationships with communities, including working with Indigenous land and sea rangers to undertake joint patrols and activities like crab pot clean-ups.