- Cook Government joins with Kimberley Indigenous Salt Water Advisory Group to coordinate fishing priorities in the State's north
- Two-year initiative to explore marine research, customary fishing and economic development opportunities for mud crab, sea cucumber and black lip oyster
The Cook Government is collaborating with Aboriginal Traditional Ownersto unlock fishing opportunities in the Kimberley.
The Indigenous Salt Water Advisory Group (ISWAG), comprised of nine Kimberley Traditional Owner groups based on saltwater country, will join with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to drive key Aboriginal fishing initiatives.
The partnership is supported by $700,000 over two years through the Future Drought Fund Farm Business Resilience program.
It will focus on ISWAG priority areas of fisheries marine research and customary fishing, along with increasing Aboriginal economic development opportunities for the highly-prized species mud crab, sea cucumber and black lip oyster.
The aim of ISWAG is to share knowledge, enable collaborative twoway information exchange and facilitate capacity building in partnership with western science programs and government agencies.
ISWAG is supported by the Kimberley Land Council and Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd.
Comments attributed to Fisheries and Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The Kimberley is renowned for its unique and highly sought-after fisheries produce, and there are exciting opportunities for new fishing business creation.
"This agreement is an important step in building Aboriginal ownership and participation in WA fishing industries in the State's north.
"The Cook Government is keen to work with ISWAG to identify key research and economic development opportunities which support sustainable fisheries management and positive outcomes for Traditional Owners across the Kimberley region."
