Fishing heritage in Australia - Exploring ancient origins and forgotten tales of yesteryear.

Prominent historian Anna Clark guides us through Australia's fishing history, delving into its pre-European settlement origins and highlighting the pivotal events and encounters that have shaped the present-day sport. With meticulous research dating back to the 1700s, Anna provides a vivid depiction of the past fishing landscape. She dispels the misconception that James Cook was the first foreign fisherman in Australia, revealing the annual pilgrimages of neighboring cultures from the north long before Cook arrived in Botany Bay aboard The Endeavour in 1770.

Anna Clark, a highly respected historian affiliated with the Australian Centre for Public History at the University of Technology Sydney, is renowned for her extensive research and written works on various aspects of Australian history. Her expertise extends to the recreational and commercial fishing industry, evident in her book "The Catch: The Story of Fishing in Australia," initially published in 2018 and set to be reissued by Penguin.

Within this book, Anna meticulously documents the earliest Indigenous fishing practices and the encounters between European settlers and Australia's bountiful waters. She explores the evolution of fishing techniques, the introduction of trout and fly-fishing, and the ongoing challenges in striking a balance between the needs of commercial and recreational fishers. Through captivating storytelling and illustrations, Anna effectively captures the enduring allure and cultural significance of fishing within the Australian context.

Throughout this episode, Anna takes us on a journey through significant events in the historical fishing timeline, illuminating their impact on modern Australia. She is also driven by a desire to debunk myths. Anna challenges the popular belief that Captain Cook was the first "fisherman" to explore Australian waters, shedding light on other indigenous cultures, such as Australia's First Nations fishers and Makassan trepang fishers, who ventured to the Great Southern Land in search of seafood.

Furthermore, Anna reveals the long-standing presence of the environmental movement in Australia, exemplified by a Royal Commission investigating overfishing's consequences in the late 1800s. She also dispels the notion that Australia had an inexhaustible fish supply when European colonists first arrived, emphasizing the delicate state of the fishing ecosystem due to the country's unique climate. Although large catches were occasionally made, Anna asserts that Australia's fishing resources have always been vulnerable.

The episode follows the early colony as they spend their initial months in Australia, encountering not only new fish species and habitats but also witnessing the diverse fishing techniques employed by the First Nations peoples.

Drawing from her personal passion for angling, Anna celebrates the significant role of women in fishing and highlights it as one of the notable changes in the evolution of fishing.

Anna provides a detailed account of the rapid decline of Australia's waterways since the early days of European settlement. Habitat degradation, over-harvesting, and a lack of education punctuate her narrative on the state of fishing in the country. However, she remains hopeful that by learning from past mistakes, it is not too late to prevent history from repeating itself.

This episode of OzCast is made possible with the support of BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing, and the One Basin CRC.