Peter Matera appointed ambassador of the Aboriginal fishing strategy

18/12/00
The Aboriginal community's historical association with fishing is about to be enhanced with the development of an Aboriginal Fishing Strategy, Fisheries Minister Monty House announced today.
Fisheries WA will work closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) to develop the strategy, to recognise Aboriginal cultural and subsistence fishing practices as part of a sustainable fisheries management framework.
The strategy will also recognise regional commercial opportunities for Aboriginal communities in commercial fishing, aquaculture, charter enterprises and fishing-related tourism.
Mr House said the strategy would give Aboriginal people a voice in fisheries management and welcomed the appointment of West Coast Eagle footballer Peter Matera as the 'ambassador' for the initiative.
"Peter will be helping to encourage Aboriginal people to contribute to the development of the strategy," the Minister said.
"He will also help to generate more participation in the fisheries sector in general through increased opportunities for employment and economic development."
A working group - chaired by Hon Terry Franklyn QC with members representing Aboriginal interests, commercial and recreational fishing sectors and relevant Government agencies - will consult widely with Aboriginal groups to develop the fishing strategy.
Mr House said the strategy would build on the partnerships between Fisheries WA, the Aboriginal community and State and Commonwealth agencies which had generated a number of initiatives involving indigenous people throughout Western Australia.
"One of the most successful initiatives has been the employment of an aquaculture specialist, Dr Chan Lee, under partnership arrangements with ATSIC, who has been working with Aboriginal communities in the West Kimberley to develop a trochus hatchery at One Arm Point, north of Broome," he said.
"In addition to these initiatives, Fisheries WA has worked closely with Aboriginal communities in the management of the trochus, mud crab and beche-de-mer fisheries through a dedicated officer based in Broome."
Fisheries WA has also been working with the Kimberley Aboriginal Aquaculture Corporation (KAAC), the Department of Commerce and Trade and ATSIC to set up a multi-species hatchery in Broome.
Mr House said the agency has also been instrumental in helping the Southern Aboriginal Corporation establish the Katanning Industry Aquaculture Centre.
"The centre has been involved in an initiative to grow Rainbow Trout in dams and purpose built tanks using underground saline water, as another tool to help combat salinity," he said.
Aboriginal representation in the ranks of WA's Fisheries Officers has also increased in recent years, which helps boost cultural awareness within the agency.
"To date, the comprehensive Fisheries Officer training course has been successfully completed by five Aboriginal people, with four gaining full-time employment with Fisheries WA and one being employed as a trainee," Mr House said.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 9481 2044