NSW Department of Primary Industries

Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program

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EOI process - now closed

Expressions of Interest were open for the Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program to provide support to Aboriginal community organisations and community-led businesses to develop new economically viable fisheries businesses that provide a strong connection between Aboriginal communities and management of aquatic resources.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) closed 5pm Friday, 10 February 2023. 

The two-year program is open to Aboriginal community organisations and community-led businesses to develop new businesses that provide a broader benefit to the local Aboriginal community, through reinvestment in community or economic empowerment (employment, training and development)

New fisheries businesses could include the following:

  • Aquaculture operations
  • Commercial fishing
  • Charter fishing
  • Post-harvest processing and value adding (eg fish wholesale and distribution)
  • Shark mitigation
  • Fisheries or Sea Country related tourism
  • Hatcheries for freshwater fisheries

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be either an Aboriginal community-owned entity, which includes a family/clan or community organisation, or an Aboriginal community owned and run business and must explain how local Aboriginal communities would benefit socially and/or economically from participation in the program.

The Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program is a joint program between the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI Fisheries), the Department of Regional NSW, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC).

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries staff and project partners will work with the successful applicants to create feasibility studies and business cases for their chosen business, before helping them explore funding and investment options.

Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program Guidelines for Applicants
PDF, 107 KB

More information

For further assistance, email aboriginal.fishing@dpi.nsw.gov.au

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au