Expressions of interest are officially open for a two-year program to help develop new Aboriginal community owned fisheries businesses. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Deputy Director General, Sean Sloan said the Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program will support the establishment of new businesses that will result in benefits flowing back to Aboriginal communities. “These businesses can include everything from aquaculture operations, commercial fishing, charter fishing, post-harvest processing and shark mitigation to aquatic-related tourism and hatcheries for freshwater fisheries,” Mr Sloan said. “To be eligible, applicants must be an Aboriginal community-owned entity or business and they must also explain the social and economic benefits their participation will have for their communities.” The program is part of the NSW Government’s response to the Closing the Gap national targets, aiming to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests in the sea. "We are looking to support the development of three new fisheries businesses from across NSW – including coastal and inland areas,” Mr Sloan said. “The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries staff and project partners will work with the successful applicants to prepare feasibility studies and business cases for their chosen business, before helping them explore funding and investment options. “This collaborative program will also be used to develop business models that could easily be replicated across the State and help businesses in other areas to be more successful.” The Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI Fisheries), the Department of Regional NSW (Office of Regional Development), the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation. Expressions of Interest are now open until 5pm Friday 25 November 2022 and the application form can be downloaded at here. For further assistance, please email aboriginal.fishing@dpi.nsw.gov.au
