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Home > Sea Fishing & Aquaculture > Recreational Fishing > Aboriginal Fishing

Aboriginal Fishing Activities

**Periwinkle**
**(Aboriginal name - Warrener)**

The Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 provides for aboriginal activities, including non-commercial fishing, the taking of prescribed fish for the manufacture of artefacts for sale and by the issuing of permits and exemptions.

It is up to people involved in Aboriginal activities associated with fish and fishing to be able to prove that they are Aboriginal and that their fishing is an aboriginal activity.

Non-Commercial Fishing

The rules for non-commercial fishing apply to both recreational fishers and Aborigines engaged in aboriginal activities. Aborigines engaged in non-commercial fishing activities are exempt from requirements to hold a sea fishing licence but must comply with all other fisheries rules, including bag and possession limits, size restrictions and seasons. Details of these requirements may be found in the annual Recreational Sea Fishing Guide which is released each November. Copies of the Guide are available free from Service Tasmania

. Plastic fish-measuring rulers for scalefish and measuring gauges for rock lobster, abalone and scallops are also available from Service Tasmania and some tackle shops.

Gear Marking

Whilst a licence is not required for Aborigines to undertake aboriginal fishing activities all unattended fishing gear needs to be marked with a unique code. This is to aid in compliance to ensure people do not use more gear than they are entitled to and also to assist in returning lost and stolen gear. If using rock lobster pots, set lines, gillnets or unattended rock lobster rings then that gear must be marked with a unique code. This will assist in not having gear unnecessarily pulled and removed.

A new process for obtaining a unique code to mark fishing gear has been implemented. You can download the Application Form for a Cultural UIC (Unique Identifying Code) and read the DPIPWE Approved Policy on Aboriginal Cultural Activities and allotting an UIC under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995.

Prescribed Fish and Manufacturing Artifacts for Sale

Aborigines engaged in aboriginal activities may take prescribed fish and manufacture artefacts for sale. This allows the making of artifacts such as shell necklaces and kelp baskets. Download the list of prescribed fish.

Permits and Exemptions

There is provision in the Act to issue an exemption or permit for Aboriginal fishing activities that may be contrary to the existing 'recreational' fishing provisions. To obtain these, it is necessary to demonstrate that the fishing activities are associated with Aboriginal cultural or ceremonial activities.

Contact: Recreational Fishing

Recreational Fisheries Section
1 Franklin Wharf
GPO Box 44
Hobart TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6233 7042
Fax: 03 6223 1539
Email: Fishing.Enquiries@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Fish illustration by Peter Gouldthorpe

Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/HMUY-5TD8PT?open - was last published on 19 November 2012 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to Internet Coordinator by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone.

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