The 2022/23 funding round is currently CLOSED.
Future funding rounds will be advised on the DPI website, as well as through various community organisations and networks and media.
The Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund (AFTF) provides grants and loans for the enhancement, maintenance and protection of Aboriginal cultural fishing as well as for Aboriginal communities to develop businesses associated with fisheries resources throughout NSW.
The Trust is established under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 which directs expenditure and establishes other key operational rules including the involvement of the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council (AFAC) in advising on expenditure. Applications for funds are assessed on their merits against set criteria.
The AFTF looks to fund a wide range of projects across both coastal and inland regions in NSW, which promote Aboriginal cultural fishing or provide fishing related economic opportunities for Aboriginal people.
To be eligible applicants must be:
Note: please refer to the 'Guidelines for Applicants' for the definition of these for the purposes of this program.
Find out how you can apply for funds.
Applications for funding will be first assessed by the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Expenditure Committee (AFTEC). The AFTEC assesses and ranks applications against set criteria and provides its views to the AFAC. After considering applications and the advice of AFTEC, the AFAC then provide its view to the Minister for Agriculture over expenditure from the Trust. The income and expenditure from the AFTF is subject to an annual audit by the NSW Auditor-General and regular announcements are made about expenditure from the Trust.
Executive Officer, AFTEC
c/- NSW Department of Primary Industries
LMB 3020
Nowra NSW 2541
Email: aboriginal.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Note – this list includes active and completed projects from each funding round to date.
Year | Project | Amount |
---|---|---|
2020/21 | Cultural marine tour business Supporting an Aboriginal business to undertake cultural marine based tours and promote economic opportunities for the community through employment, training and education. | $189,437 |
2020/21 | Revegetation project and cultural workshops This project links revegetation of specific native plants used as material for weaving, as well as facilitating workshops that promote cultural weaving practices. | $5,000 |
2020/21 | Marine debris clean-up project Supporting a marine debris clean-up program through the purchase of a vessel and equipment, vessel and drone training and licensing, and community education workshops. | $103,000 |
2020/21 | Seaweed identification This project involves an educational workshop to learn about traditional uses of seaweed and identify different types and uses in the local region. | $5,000 |
2019/20 | Cultural fishing project Supporting local Aboriginal elders and community with regular supplies of fresh fish and teach cultural fishing techniques to Aboriginal young people. | $10,956 |
2019/20 | Cultural fishing project Supporting cultural workshops for community members to connect to culture and country and learn to make traditional fishing spears and other fishing equipment. | $5000 |
2019/20 | Cultural fishing project Supporting a series of cultural camps for Aboriginal young people On Country to maintain and protect Aboriginal cultural fishing. | $13,735 |
2019/20 | Cultural net and boat making project Supporting community to make traditional fish nets and a small boat to help improve health and exchange cultural skills. | $19,357 |
2019/20 | Cultural fishing and education project Supporting Aboriginal cultural camps to educate the community about sustainable take of marine resources. | $8000 |
2019/20 | Aboriginal cultural fishing program Supporting Elders and community members to share cultural fishing, river and land management knowledge with Aboriginal youth. | $22,800 |
2018/19 | Research project – Plebidonax deltoides (Pipis) An investigation of garlaany (pipi) population structure, abundance and distribution including a reseeding trial which will include Aboriginal community engagement and involvement | $70,244 |
2018/19 | Commercial fishing business Supporting an existing commercial fishing business reform its fishing operations to remain engaged in the commercial fishing industry.. | $100,000 |
2018/19 | Cultural fishing project Supporting local Aboriginal elders and community to access cultural fishing sites and practice cultural fishing whilst sharing this knowledge with broader community members. | $8,330 |
2018/19 | Cultural fishing project Supporting and maintaining community gatherings around fishing for the mullet during their annual migration. | $5,000 |
2018/19 | Cultural fishing project This project aims to educate Yuin youth and men in Yuin ways of all cultural fishing aspects. | $8,000 |
2018/19 | Cultural fishing project Supporting cultural workshops for community members (one in Eden and one on the inland) to learn about traditional fishing laws and learn the ancient craft of hand making traditional fishing equipment. | $5,000 |
2018/19 | Cultural fishing project This project is to provide a camping experience where Elders and community members can share cultural fishing, river and land management knowledge with Aboriginal youth. | $10,530 |
2018/19 | Fishing competition and carp muster Supporting a carp muster event as part of the Festival of Baiame’s Nghunnu. | $3,500 |
2017/18 | Aquacultures business This project aims to restore an inherited family oyster aquaculture business in Wonboyn Lake, with focus on long-term operational sustainability, and promoting employment opportunities for the local community. | $117,736 |
2017/18 | Cultural fishing project Supporting the community to gather around fishing for the mullet run. | $5,000 |
2017/18 | Cultural net making workshop This project involves running a series of workshops for community members where they will get involved in making fishing equipment for use during cultural gatherings and events. | $3,940 |
2017/18 | Commercial fishing business Funding will support the development of a business and marketing plan, as well as purchasing of operational equipment needed for business to be viable and support Aboriginal people remaining engaged in the commercial fishing industry. | $55,000 |
2017/18 | Commercial fishing business Providing support for the purchase of operational equipment with aim to support continued involvement in the commercial fishing industry. | $12,000 |
2017/18 | Revegetation project and cultural workshops This project links revegetation of specific native plants used as material for weaving, as well as facilitating workshops that promote cultural fishing practices and improve broader community awareness. | $67,585 |
2017/18 | Habitat works and cultural fishing education This project will educate the community on cultural fishing practices and increase fish habitat at the Bulgandramine Mission site through planting native species and weed reduction. | $5,000 |
2017/18 | Development of a Sea Country Management Plan The project aims to understand environmental conditions and issues along with community aspirations so as to be able to promote the overarching aim of progressing to a plan that promotes local community involvement in monitoring and enhancing cultural fishing grounds by undertaking innovative targeted habitat restorations, estuary health assessments, education and awareness programs while creating opportunity for the future management of aquatic resources. | $2,350 |
2017/18 | Commercial fishing business Providing support for the purchase of operational equipment with aim to support continued involvement of this long established Aboriginal business in the commercial fishing industry. | $10,000 |
2017/18 | Development of fishing facilities and education materials Development of infrastructure and education materials that are culturally appropriate and capture the significance of the environment, fish habitat, wetlands to Aboriginal people of the area and represent their cultural values. | $73,300 |