GRANTS from the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund are now open, with a total of $500,000 on offer to provide opportunities to Aboriginal communities in commercial fishing, tourism, Aboriginal cultural fishing, research and education related to fisheries resources throughout NSW.
This round of funding will be the seventh round of funding through the AFTF, which have provided funding for 43 projects throughout NSW since 2017, equating to more than $1.4 million.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy secretary, Fisheries and Forestry, Sean Sloan said that these grants had the ability to significantly assist Aboriginal commercial fisheries and tourism-related businesses.
“We recognise the significance fishing has to Aboriginal communities and the NSW Government will continue to support the Trust, to ensure it promotes Aboriginal cultural fishing and provides fishing related economic opportunities for Aboriginal people,” he said.
Projects that have been approved so far have included a commercial fishing project to support the purchase of capital equipment for an existing family operated coastal Aboriginal commercial fishing business.
Other projects included funding for Aboriginal fishing camps and workshops.
“The protection and enhancement of Aboriginal cultural fishing and economic outcomes related to the aquatic resource in NSW is a key priority of the NSW Government,” Mr Sloan said.
The call for applications for the seventh funding round from the AFTF will close on February 16, 2025.
An overview of the AFTF, guidelines and application forms for applicants and information on projects that have been funded to date can be accessed on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund webpage.
