Usage of marine resources by Aboriginal communities on the east coast of Cape York Peninsula.

Abstract

The objectives of the study were: • To document the current and historical marine hunting and fishing practices of the Hopevale Aboriginal community adjacent to the Cairns Section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP); • To compare these practices with Lockhart River, another east coast Aboriginal community adjacent to the Far Northern Section of the GBRMP; • To acquire indigenous knowledge of the biology and behaviour of tropical marine food resources of the GBRMP; • To use the above information (a) to evaluate the reasons for differing fishing practices and knowledge between the two communities; (b) evaluate the factors that act to limit or encourage marine resource usage by those Aboriginal communities; (c) to assess the possible need for, and methods of, management of marine hunting and fishing practices, and the implications for the species involved; (d) to assess the need for further investigation of possible impact on the Aboriginal communities, due to marine resource management; • To provide the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) with recommendations that could be used in the development of a management programme for the usage of marine resources in areas of the GBRMP adjacent to these Aboriginal communities.