How the Australian aquaculture sector can optimise the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia have enjoyed a long history in aquaculture since long before European arrival in 1788. There is great value in drawing upon this traditional aquaculture know-how of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people inthe House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources current inquiry into the Australian aquaculture sector. As part of this inquiry, the Committee is looking into the nature and current status of Australia's aquaculture sector, opportunities and barriers to the expansion of the aquaculture sector, including ability to access capital and investment. Invited to make a submission to this inquiry, I put forward numerous recommendations for how best to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional knowledge into the aquaculture sector in order to achieve its expansion and optimise outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. All recommended actions centre genuine partnership between the Federal, State and Territory Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations, as set out in the New National Agreement on Closing the Gap (Coalition of Peaks, 2020)