The importance of cultural fishing rights

For the first episode of Saltwater Library, I interviewed Stephan Schnierer, who is a fisher, surfer, and respected advocate for greater recognition of Indigenous cultural fishing rights.

I know Stephan from surfing The Pass, in Byron Bay. The Pass is one of those incredibly popular and beloved surf breaks; a peeling, sandy bottom point break with crystal clear water, that is protected in many of the more devilish winds. Its consistency makes it seem straight forward to surf, but the combination of currents and crowds make it a lot more difficult that it appears from the shore. Stephan Schnierer is one of the people I always imagine when I think of those who surf The Pass with experience, confidence and style. He flies down the line, usually on a set wave, but never gives a sense of being aggressive or greedy. Stephan gets good waves, but he lets lots of waves go as well so he’s a very nice person to share a busy surfbreak with.

What I didn’t know about Stephan, is that he is a lifelong fisher and a respected international expert on Indigenous cultural fishing rights. When I found out, I was excited to learn more about his work and his views on how we can develop more ethical relationships to coasts and oceans through centralising Indigenous ecological knowledges and relationships.

I really enjoyed learning about Stephan’s relationships to fishing and surfing, and how these are connected to his relationships to family, place, community, culture, and marine ecologies he loves. You can find the podcast episode and transcript of Stephan’s discussion of Indigenous ecological knowledges here, but I also wanted to share a little more information about Stephan’s work, as well as some additional links related to our discussion. Over time I will add to this post as more relevant links come to hand, but for now, please enjoy Stephan’s insights on the importance of including Indigenous ecological knowledges and rights in all research and policy related to coasts and oceans.

Some of Stephan’s research and publications (click resource name for link):

[If you have trouble accessing these, please get in touch for assistance]

• Crook, D. A., Douglas, M. M., King, A. J., & Schnierer, S. (2016). Towards deeper collaboration: stories of Indigenous interests, aspirations, partnerships and leadership in aquatic research and management. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 26(4), 611-615.
• Noble, M., Duncan, P., Perry, D., Prosper, K., Rose, D., Schnierer, S., … & Pittock, J. (2016). Culturally significant fisheries: keystones for management of freshwater social-ecological systems. Ecology and Society, 21(2).
• Schnierer, S. B., & Egan, H. (2013). Impact of management changes on the viability of indigenous commercial fishers and the flow on effects to their communities: case study in New South Wales. Southern Cross University.
• Schnierer, S., & Egan, H. (2012). Indigenous cultural fishing and fisheries governance. Final Report for project, 216.
• Schnierer, E., Ellsmore, S., & Schnierer, S. (2011). State of Indigenous cultural heritage 2011. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities.

Further reading and resources (click resource name for link)::

• Arakwal people (Byron Bay)
• Byron Bay Historical Society information on local Shipwrecks and Major Events (Wrecks)
• Shark biology and ecology via NSW Department of Primary Industries.
• Sharks in Australian waters, via Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), via Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• UN Convention on Biological Diversity