New research in Western Australia's north is supporting the development of a sustainable Aboriginal mud crab fishery in the Kimberley.
The study includes an extensive survey of the Cambridge Gulf is in progress, with the Miriuwung Gajerrong and Balanggarra people working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to capture data on the distribution and number of mud crabs in the Gulf.
The research is part of a three-year project to better understand the biology, abundance and distribution of brown mud crabs and green mud crabs in Cambridge Gulf and King Sound.
Data collected from the Cambridge Gulf survey will assist in the development of a harvest strategy for the resource.
Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna said she was optimistic about the study's impact.
"It's exciting that this research could lead to the development of a sustainable Aboriginal mud crab operation in the Kimberley," Ms D'Anna said.
"I'm proud our government is supporting this research project, which is providing important training opportunities and exploring how we can create a new industry and commercial opportunity for Aboriginal people in the Kimberley."
Led by DPIRD with funding through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, initial work in King Sound with Traditional Owner groups identified some highly productive areas with increased foraging opportunities for mud crabs.
DPIRD researchers and other trainers have also conducted workshops with local Aboriginal groups as part of the project, to build their capacity to use scientific data collection methods for field surveys.
Western Australian Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Don Punch, said the study supports improved Aboriginal economic self-determination in the state's north.
"Traditional Owners in the Kimberley are strongly advocating for business opportunities, including commercial fishing, to deliver improved economic participation and socio-economic prosperity of Aboriginal people," Mr Punch said.
"This project is a fantastic example of knowledge sharing, with the project helping build the scientific knowledge of the Aboriginal people involved and their knowledge being instrumental to the survey design."
Researchers have also applied shared Aboriginal knowledge about mud crabs into the project.
Western Australian Fisheries Minister, Jackie Jarvis, said the Western Australian Government is focused on supporting Aboriginal people to realise this potential through commercial fishing rights and establishing a mud crab fishery in the state would be a big step forward."
"Western Australia's mud crab fisheries have potential to be developed to provide new economic opportunities and create jobs in the Kimberley," Ms Jarvis said.
