Aboriginal fish trap or a child’s swimming pool?

Aboriginal fish trap or a child’s swimming pool? Rock formation is confirmed as a historic Indigenous hunting tool… but a man says he built it for his granddaughter last year

  • The Indigenous ‘historical fishing tool’ was identified by a representative 
  • John LeMaire said he made the paddle-pool for his granddaughter last year
  • Mr LeMaire was shocked when it was recognised as a Aboriginal Fish Trap

A rock formation  has been identified as a historic Indigenous hunting tool – but one man said he only built the rock pool last year.

New South Wales grandfather, John LeMaire lives directly in front of the ‘historical fishing tool’ but said he built it as a swimming pool in 2017 and it was been mistaken for a historic hunting tool 

Mr LeMaire claims he built-up the the rock formation as a paddle pool for his eight-year-old granddaughter, Kyla. 

Central Coast grandfather, John LeMaire (right)  lives directly in front of the ‘historical fishing tool’ and says he built it as a swimming pool in 2017.

‘Over 12 months ago my granddaughter Kyla asked if we could make our own little rock pool, we are always out at Norah Head exploring the rock pools,’ Mr LeMaire told the Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate. 

‘So we did. We’ve gone down there and made a rock pool which is two rocks high and has access in and out for fish.

‘We put it in the shape of the top end of Australia. It’s been there for over 12 months.’

Mr LeMaire said he was shocked to hear the formation had been cited by Aboriginal representatives as the Aboriginal Fish Traps.

The heritage-listed traps are used to catch fish and eel and are dotted on the coast of New South Wales. 

Mr LeMaire said 12-month-old pool has been mistaken for a thousand-year-old trap.

The heritage-listed traps (pictured) are used to catch fish and eel and are dotted on the coast of New South Wales 

The heritage-listed traps (pictured) are used to catch fish and eel and are dotted on the coast of New South Wales 

Despite the grandfather giving evidence he sculpted it himself, even showing the council pictures of him making it, it is still believed to be the fishing device.

‘This proves it is a no-brainer so why won’t anybody listen?’ Mr LeMaire said. 

According to  Office of Environment and Heritage, a representative of Guringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation identified the trap as authentic.

Central Coast Councillor Greg Best said the mistake is ‘a slap in the face for genuine indigenous protection requirements’.

‘We have got to get this right. In respect to clearly identified artefacts, it has to be authentic,’ he said. 

Mr LeMaire said 12-month-old pool has been mistaken for a thousand-year-old trap

Mr LeMaire said 12-month-old pool has been mistaken for a thousand-year-old trap

 

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