Indigenous Australians: Fishing

Why did Indigenous Australians only take as much fish as they could eat?

• They couldn't catch that much

• There was a fish shortage when tea tree flowered

• To make sure that there was enough left for other people

When certain plants flowered, people knew which fish to catch:

• True

• False

Being selfish in Aboriginal culture was unacceptable:

• True

• False

When wattle flowered, which fish was plentiful?

• Bream

• Jewfish

• Pipis

• Mullet

In which ways did Aboriginal people pass on their histories?

• Song

• Illustration

• Dance

• Books

What was the difference between a hunting spear and a fishing spear?

• A hunting spear was long with a metal head

• A hunting spear was only used sometimes but a fishing spear was used every day

• A hunting spear has one prong but a fishing spear has three or four

What could be used as a sharp prong on a fishing spear?

• Bark that had been hardened over a fire

• String and plant gums

• Animal bones sharpened

• The tail from a sting ray

A wooden shaft on a spear was an advantage because it floated in water:

• True

• False

How did people make sure that they only caught the big fish?

• The measured them carefully and only took the big ones

• They made sure the rocks were placed to allow small fish through

• They sorted them carefully

Why were female fish let go?

• People were sexist

• Female fish don't taste as good

• To allow them to breed and provide more fish