Abstract: This report examines legislation, policy, programs and practices associated with the establishment and development of Indigenous Wildlife Enterprises (IWEs) at Commonwealth and Northern Territory level It is aimed at two overlapping constituencies: • those who need practical guidance on regulation and policy, such as those supporting indigenous communities in establishing wildlife enterprises, and • those interested in more strategic questions related to the future feasibility and development of IWEs. Wildlife based enterprises are of great interest to many indigenous people and communities for the range of potential benefits they offer, including providing income and enterprise opportunities, maintaining traditional skills and knowledge, keeping people on country, and building stronger community management institutions. However, development of IWEs has been slow. The main findings of this report are as follows: • The value and multiple benefits of IWEs are recognised widely in relevant policy documents at Commonwealth and NT levels, echoing support in international policy for indigenous rights to resources and to economic development. • However, this recognition very rarely translates into any clear operational support for these enterprises, in terms of legislative provisions, specified actions in policies or strategies, or funding or business support. • Establishment and development of IWEs faces a complex mosaic of regulatory requirements at Commonwealth and Territory level that govern take of species from the wild, keeping and trading, access to biological/genetic resources of organisms, gaining consent for access to land or for commercial use from landowners, and export of wildlife products.
Notes: Report to North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA)