Celebrating new fish market’s rich history

Blackwattle Bay’s First Nations and maritime histories will be honoured through a series of creative installations within the precinct.

Visitors to the new Sydney Fish Market will be able to learn about the history of the area through five permanent installations that celebrate the site as a community gathering place.

The first three sculptures revealed today, Saltwater People Stories, pay respect to the continued presence of local Aboriginal people and their ancestral fishing traditions in Blackwattle Bay and the surrounding area.

Three Aboriginal Australian artists have designed works which reference traditional cultural practices of the Aboriginal nations and communities connected to the new Sydney Fish Market site including:

‘The Nawi’ – a traditional nawi (fishing canoe) by Bidjigal elder Uncle Steven Russell

‘Birrang Narrami (Star Net)’ – a traditional woven fishing net by Wiradjuri, Yuin and Gadigal multi-disciplinary artist and master weaver Nadeena Dixon

‘The Call of Ngura (Country)’ – with eel-like forms representing the Dreamtime journey of the great Creator Gurangady, by Buruberong and Wumali (Dharug) creative Leanne Tobin.

The sculptures, cast in bronze at the North Head Foundry in Manly, will be installed on the eastern and western promenades of the new Sydney Fish Market later this year.

Two further installations will sit on the eastern promenade – an interactive water play area for families, and an installation paying homage to the site’s industrial history as a working harbour.

Placemaking NSW will also host a curated arts and cultural program featuring dance and music. This will take place in the public domain throughout 2026 featuring local artists.

For more information about the new Sydney Fish Market project, visit: new Sydney Fish Market.

“For thousands of years, the Saltwater clans of the Sydney region have been traditional custodians of this land, with Blackwattle Bay serving as a vital site for fishing, swimming and gathering,” Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said.

“These installations will honour ancestral fishing traditions and share the stories of the Saltwater People with the millions of visitors anticipated at the new Sydney Fish Market.

“Visitors can look forward to not only viewing the stunning architecture but learning about the site’s cultural significance through these installations – and, of course, savouring the freshest seafood in NSW.”