Auslan tour - Mandjabu (woven fish trap)Auslan tour - Mandjabu (woven fish trap) 

This Mandjabu or woven fish trap was made by Jack Maranbarra. This type of fish trap was once widely used by the people of central and western Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Depending on its purpose, a woven fish trap can be made from different materials. A lighter fish trap (used for catching smaller fish species) can be made from pandanus. The larger fish traps (used for catching barramundi and salmon catfish) are made from a thin vine called milil.

Woven fish traps are used in the lower, tidal parts of creeks. To use a mandjabu, a fence of stakes, paperbark, reeds and grass is placed across the narrow, tidal section of a creek. A gap is left for the fish to swim through. When the tide turns, the mandjabu is installed. As the fish swim back, they are trapped. To remove the fish, the tied end of the trap is opened and the fish are collected. Once fish or eels have been collected from the traps, the traps can be re-tied and re-used many times again.

The loose weave (gaps) in the fish trap mean that only adult fish are trapped. Smaller, younger fish can swim through and grow to adult size.

Why is the woven fish trap an example of sustainable harvesting?