Supporting Aboriginal Jobs and Training On Country

30 October 2018

The Territory Labor Government is working with the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA) to boost Aboriginal focused training and assessment resources.

The new resources, which the NT Government has enlisted NAILSMA to create, will include items such as guides, Freshwater Pest Identification Cards and teaching manuals to support the delivery of training to Aboriginal marine rangers as part of the nationally accredited Certificate III in Fisheries Compliance. 

The latest group of Certificate III students are in Darwin today as part of their training, and met with the Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles, at Parliament House.

Qualified Aboriginal sea rangers work alongside NT Fisheries and NT Water Police in managing aquatic environments. This complements the traditional roles and responsibilities of Aboriginal people living along the coastal areas of the NT in the management of their sea country.

NAILSMA is an Aboriginal led not-for-profit company operating across northern Australia and works to help Aboriginal people manage their land and sea country sustainably for future generations.

Quotes from Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles:

“The Territory Labor Government is creating jobs on country for Aboriginal Territorians by training Aboriginal Rangers to become Fisheries Inspectors.

“The Certificate III in Fisheries Compliance is part of this process and earlier this year we saw the first six Aboriginal Rangers become Fisheries Inspectors.

“These are nationally accredited courses, so it is important we provide our Rangers with the resources that will help them gain the skills they need to pass the course.

“The resources also include sampling kits, which will help trainees collect reliable scientific data and biological samples for fisheries management and research purposes. This all helps to protect our fisheries and our coastline.” 

Quotes from Chief Executive Officer at NAILSMA, Ricky Archer:

“This latest collaboration will enable rangers to build the expertise required to monitor and manage their cultural and natural resources.

“Subject to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, approximately 80 per cent of the NT coastline is Aboriginal land.

“We are now strengthening the platform for Aboriginal rangers to successfully manage their estate through nationally accredited training.”

Media Contact: Leanne Hudson 0427 687 079