An Introduction to Aboriginal Fishing Cultures and Legacies in Seafood Sustainability

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to explore the rich legacy of Aboriginal fishing cultures through historical and contemporary records, in order to inductively identify cultural and social elements which may enhance the aquatic resource sustainability knowledge and ethos in Australia. A thorough, comprehensive and analytical literature review was conducted. The literature review explored the importance of Aboriginal Peoples’ (AP) fishing cultures, and identified examples of fishing practices, ideology and sustainable philosophy, which may be beneficial in sustainably managing dwindling seafood resources. The overriding theme of Aboriginal Peoples’ fishing cultures is the taking of enough fish to ease personal/community hunger, and restricted fishing based on seasons and/or stock abundance. This practice protects fish during vulnerable or important stages, such as spawning, allowing fish stocks to regenerate, and allowing fish to be caught when they are healthy and most nutritious. It is considered that the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia can contribute significant knowledge to the management of dwindling aquatic resources. Access to sacred sites and favourite fishing grounds would benefit communities, would increase the contact between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples, and may assist in an interchange of sustainability information and philosophy. The world’s aquatic resources are dangerously depleted. Without a significant shift in focus, this will continue. Rather than relegate the fishing cultures of Aboriginal Peoples to ‘histories past’, we can learn valuable lessons to conserve aquatic resources, and to better understand the interconnectedness with the environment inherent in their cultures. Fishing is used as a generic term for both freshwater and marine fishing in this article.

Dietitians Australia position statement on healthy and sustainable diets

“…Shamsi et al explore the rich legacy of Aboriginal fishing cultures in Australia, offering valuable lessons to conserve aquatic resources and understand human–ecology interconnectedness 78 . Their literature review describes examples of fishing practices, ideology and sustainable philosophy, such as only taking enough fish to nourish individuals and communities, and restricting fishing based on seasons and stock abundance, explaining how these are measured 78 …”

“…Forbes et al conducted a rapid review to determine the environmental impacts associated with food consumption in Australia and New Zealand and of the 20 studies included, greenhouse gas emissions ( n 12 ) were the most commonly used environmental indicator followed by water use and environmental footprint ( n 7 ) and carbon footprint ( n 3 ) 77 . Shamsi et al explore the rich legacy of Aboriginal fishing cultures in Australia, offering valuable lessons to conserve aquatic resources and understand human–ecology interconnectedness 78 . Their literature review describes examples of fishing practices, ideology and sustainable philosophy, such as only taking enough fish to nourish individuals and communities, and restricting fishing based on seasons and stock abundance, explaining how these are measured 78 …”

“…77 Shamsi et al explore the rich legacy of Aboriginal fishing cultures in Australia, offering valuable lessons to conserve aquatic resources and understand humanecology interconnectedness. 78 Their literature review describes examples of fishing practices, ideology and sustainable philosophy, such as only taking enough fish to nourish individuals and communities, and restricting fishing based on seasons and stock abundance, explaining how these are measured. 78 To assess the cultural acceptability of a diet, Hachem et al reviewed the contribution of two territorial diets, the Mediterranean and New Nordic diets, towards environmental, sociocultural and economic sustainability outcomes, arguing that some territorial or 'regional' diets can be a catalyst for food systems transformation.…”

“…78 Their literature review describes examples of fishing practices, ideology and sustainable philosophy, such as only taking enough fish to nourish individuals and communities, and restricting fishing based on seasons and stock abundance, explaining how these are measured. 78 To assess the cultural acceptability of a diet, Hachem et al reviewed the contribution of two territorial diets, the Mediterranean and New Nordic diets, towards environmental, sociocultural and economic sustainability outcomes, arguing that some territorial or 'regional' diets can be a catalyst for food systems transformation. 79 Although not technically assessing the cultural acceptability, various socio-cultural drivers have likely contributed to the increased intake of ultra-processed foods.…”

‘Out of sight, out of mind’ - towards a greater acknowledgment of submerged prehistoric resources in Australian science-policy as part of a common heritage

“…The latter is part of a positive shift towards the more-proactive Indigenous-led planning, research, governance and management (e.g., Mayala Inninalang Aboriginal Corporation, 2019), as opposed to more-reactive Indigenous-engagement initiatives led by government and non-government agencies, mining/exploration companies, researchers amongst others (see also . Most marine-based programs and grant schemes fall within the latter, with the development of strategic alliances and partnerships between Traditional custodians and marine science and management agencies, with the shared realization that the integration of traditional knowledge and Western science provides a better way forward (e.g., Lincoln and Hedge, 2019;Shamsi et al, 2020;Diggon et al 2022;Murley et al, 2022). Such aims are exemplified in the Australian Marine Parks Indigenous Engagement Program 15 and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Indigenous Partnerships Plan 16 (Evans-Illidge et al, 2020;Bock et al, 2021).…”