A large group of members of the South Coast indigenous community gathered at Barlings Beach at Tomakin on Monday to stage a peaceful protest against fishing regulations.
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The protest was organised by the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Rights Group, and protestors conducted net fishing, which is illegal on a public holiday.
"We told them (NSW Fisheries - Department of Primary Industries) that we were going to do it," group spokesman Andrew Nye said.
"If they come along and book us, we will take them to court and we will beat them."
Fisheries did not show up, but if they had, the group was prepared, with Sydney-based environmental lawyer Kathryn Ridge right there.
"These Walbunga men are exercising their native title rights to fish in accordance with their laws and customs which are protected by the Fisheries Act 1994 and the Marine Park Act 1997, neither of which can regulate native title rights," she said.
Group representative John Brierley said that the protest was against the lack of recognition of indigenous fishing rights and the closure of beaches to netting on public holidays.
"We want recognition and for the law system to get off our back and give us a fair go," he said.
He said it was timed to coincide with Australia Day.
"To us it is Invasion Day, when our rights were diminished when Europeans made laws to wipe us out," he said.
The NSW Aboriginal Fishing Rights Group has 1593 members on Facebook.