NT’s fishing future on solid ground as NLC, fishermen agree on terms

THE Northern Land Council has reached a ‘heads of agreement‘ with commercial and recreational fishos and tour operators securing access to the NT’s intertidal zone

NLC chief executive Marion Scrymgour said the council was ‘delighted’ negotiations over access to the NT’s intertidal zone were ‘finally being resolved’

THE Northern Land Council has reached a “heads of agreement” with commercial and recreational fishers and tour operators securing access to the NT’s intertidal zone.

The NLC met with stakeholder representatives at its full council meeting in Nitmiluk on Wednesday morning and agreed to extend its fishing permit waiver for the next 18 months while the terms of the agreement were implemented.

Under the agreement, permits will not be required to fish the greater Darwin region — including the area from the Daly River to the East Alligator — while the Roper River region will be prioritised for long-term access.

There will be no licencing or registration requirements but a code of conduct will be developed which will include a system for vessel identification.

Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT executive officer David Ciaravolo hailed the agreement as “biggest step forward” in negotiations since the High Court handed control of the 6000km of coastal water back to traditional owners in 2008.

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Mr Ciaravolo said the waiver extension meant fishos could continue to fish as usual while the details were ironed out, saying “there’s a tremendous amount of commonality” between hobbyists, industry and the NLC.

“As we start to see the work that’s identified in the heads of agreement progress people will be able to continue to fish the way that they do at the moment and there’s no concern for the next 18 months,” he said.

“However, there should be a lot of optimism and celebration that we’re actually on a solid foundation to much more enduring arrangements.”

NT Seafood Council chief executive Katherine Winchester also welcomed the “spirit of co-operation” that emerged from Wednesday’s talks.

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“It is critical the ongoing uncertainty is brought to an end and we work collaboratively to create a solution that delivers more for the Territory,” she said.

NLC chief executive Marion Scrymgour said the council was “delighted that this matter is finally being resolved”.

“The settlement arrangements are exciting and offer great opportunities, I believe this package will genuinely assist reconciliation,” she said.

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“More importantly, we recognise that this heads of agreement wouldn’t have happened without the hard work and commitment from the traditional Aboriginal owners of sea country in the NT.”

NT Guided Fishing Industry Association co-chair Dennis Sten said the agreement helped reaffirm the Territory as a national and international tourism drawcard.

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“It offers opportunities in working together with all parties to develop unique, world-class recreational sports fishing and fishing tourism opportunities on Aboriginal lands,” he said.