Aboriginal Fishing Techniques

A movie from 1986 called “Crocodile Dundee” brought national attention to the aboriginal tribes of Australia. They have a long and rich history with much involvement in the development of the country. They lead a very simple life rich with culture, traditions and pure survival instincts. Fishing is indeed a major part of that survival.

• Aboriginal peoples have virtually located in many areas of the world today and one of their basic methods of survival has always been fishing for food. They will typically locate where there is an abundance of marine life where they utilize their intimate knowledge of fishing to establish themselves and thrive.


• They are not only some of the best fishermen in the world but easily adapt to their environments exceptionally well. They can easily live off the natural resources of where they live and are very tribal in nature.


• Fishing is of course their basic method of feeding themselves. Using what is called a “fizz gig” which is a multi pronged spear they are very adept fishermen. Their techniques are quite amazing and they are very good with the spears at catching fish. The aboriginal women fish with a hook and line, but no pole. The more antique spears were about 8-9 feet long and used bones as the spear tips. The newer ones are closer to 6 feet long and use steel tips.


• The Aborigines long ago used to use toxins and poisons to fish. This of course can no longer be allowed as to prevent polluting of the streams and rivers. They would take several different plants and extract the poison making materials and dry and grind them into materials that would kill the fish.


• Aboriginal fishermen also use traps that they make themselves. Some of these resemble a lacrosse stick. They drag this through the water like a net to catch the fish. They also use larger nets that they will drag in groups across a river or stream for fishing. Once they have enough fish in the net one side will cross over and the men will drag it in trapping the fish.