Outcome 1: shared understanding and access

Read about outcome 1 strategies and actions of the Northern Territory (NT) recreational fishing development plan 2023 to 2033.

Strategies and actions

Grow the awareness of the importance of mutual recognition and shared understanding across stakeholders within the recreational fishing sector

• Undertake promotion and education about the significance of Aboriginal ownership rights and involvement in the recreational fishing sector, the importance of respectful behaviours, and the importance of cross-cultural understanding across all involved in recreational fishing in the NT, using existing communication channels and resources.

Build engagement, interaction, consultation, partnerships, mutual understanding and respect across stakeholders in the recreational fishing sector

• Seek to ensure Aboriginal recreational fisher representation on the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee.
• Build on partnerships and establish capacity and initiatives between Land Councils, NT Government, peak bodies, Aboriginal rangers, and Traditional Owner groups to improve communication and cross-cultural understanding, progress matters of mutual concern, and to discuss issues relating to fishing access (such as codes of conduct, co-designed research priorities, information sharing, etc).
  
  This should commence with:
  • establishing an initiative for key stakeholders to regularly engage and work together
  • strengthening partnership between NT Government and Aboriginal land councils to ensure effective recreational fishing management in Aboriginal areas to deliver joint aspirations and outcomes.

Ensure recreational fishers practice appropriate behaviours in accordance with local rules in Aboriginal-owned land and waters

• Explore the options for and availability of cross-cultural training for recreational fishers who want to skill-up for fishing on Aboriginal owned waters.
• Work with land councils, marine rangers and local communities to identify ways to effectively communicate and improve compliance with local recreational fishing access and behaviour rules, such as sacred cultural sites or local fishing restrictions (e.g. which could include signage in key areas, local codes of conduct, or other communications strategies based on local needs).

Maximise opportunities to access recreational fishing experiences on the Territory’s pastoral estate

• Establish a working group and engage with pastoralists to explore how to improve recreational fishing access arrangements on pastoral land. A key focus should be on Pastoral Land Act 1992 issues in relation to s76 and its alignment with Act objectives.

Maximise opportunities to access recreational fishing experiences in Kakadu and other protected estate

• Work with Parks Australia and Marine Park managers to explore opportunities to engage and address any improve recreational fishing opportunities in protected areas where possible.