Title
Fishways in Australian Prehistory
Publication Date
1995
Publication Title
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fishways '95
Start Page
347
End Page
353
Publication Place
Gifu, Japan
Publisher
The Organizing Committee for International Symposium on Fishways '95 in Gifu
Abstract
Research shows that Australians have been living on the Australian continent since at least 40,000 years ago. Most probably some time before. Since those early periods ingenious methods of water resources exploitation using fishways have been practiced. This presentation will deal with fishways in the form of fish traps. There are significant examples of fish and eel trap systems in various parts of the Australian continent. Along fresh water streams in several parts of Australia are a number of fish traps used thousands of years ago which are still in existence. Two such fishways will be examined. As well numerous coastal fish traps exist along suitable seaboard locations from the east coast to the west. Details of two such arrangements will be presented. These fishways illustrate an early expertise in construction of fishways on this continent.