- The Cook Government is supporting research to develop Aboriginal commercial fishing opportunities in the Kimberley
- A new mud crab fishery survey is underway near Wyndham
- WA's mud crab resource offers potential for economic development and job creation
The development of a sustainable Aboriginal mud crab fishery in the Kimberley is moving forward with new research underway in the State's north.
An extensive survey of the Cambridge Gulf is in progress, with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) working with the Miriuwung Gajerrong and Balanggarra people to capture data on the distribution and number of mud crabs in the Gulf.
The data collected from the Cambridge Gulf survey will assist in the development of a harvest strategy for the resource.
The research is part of a three-year project to better understand the biology, abundance and distribution of brown mud crabs and green mud crabs in Cambridge Gulf and King Sound.
Led by DPIRD with funding through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, initial work in King Sound with Traditional Owner groups identified some highly productive areas with increased foraging opportunities for mud crabs.
DPIRD researchers and other trainers have conducted workshops with local Aboriginal groups as part of the project, to build their capacity to use scientific data collection methods for field surveys.
Researchers have also applied shared Aboriginal knowledge about mud crabs into the project.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Western Australia's mud crab fisheries have potential to be developed to provide new economic opportunities and create jobs in the Kimberley.
"The Cook Government is focused on supporting Aboriginal people to realise this potential through commercial fishing rights and establishing a mud crab fishery in WA would be a big step forward."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
"Traditional Owners in the Kimberley are strongly advocating for business opportunities, including commercial fishing, to deliver improved economic participation and socio-economic prosperity of Aboriginal people.
"This project is a fantastic example of knowledge sharing, with the project helping build the scientific knowledge of the Aboriginal people involved and their knowledge being instrumental to the survey design."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"It's exciting that this research could lead to the development of a sustainable Aboriginal mud crab operation in the Kimberley.
"I'm proud our government is supporting this research project, which is providing important training opportunities and exploring how we can create a new industry and commercial opportunity for Aboriginal people in the Kimberley."
