Rangers there to make life easier for fishos

WHILE recreational fishing licences are not required in the Territory, recreational fishing controls are in place to ensure the sustainability and quality of our fishing experiences

li-Anthawirriyarra narine rangers at work in the waters of Borroloola. Picture: DPIR

WHILE recreational fishing licences are not required in the Territory, recreational fishing controls are in place to ensure the sustainability and quality of our fishing experiences.

Some fishing activity occurs in waters that lie over Aboriginal land and it is important fishers respect and recognise the cultural importance these waters have to traditional owners. Fisheries NT works closely with traditional owners across a number of key recreational fishing areas to manage these areas.

The Yanyuwa people from the Borroloola area, who identify closely with the riverine and coastal island areas of the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria, are known as the li-Anthawirriyarra – “people of the sea”. The li-Anthawirriyarra have successfully managed the region’s marine and inland resources for thousands of years

A local marine ranger unit was formed in 2002. Back then there were only four rangers, but today they have up to 20 marine rangers and a fleet of three new marine ranger vessels to expand operations and allow more rangers to be on the water at any one time.

The li-Anthawirriyarra marine rangers work alongside government departments and other organisations to undertake sea patrols, research projects, compliance patrols, and emergency/search and rescue operations.

Marine rangers are not just vital to marine management, they also help growth in rural coastal communities by providing young men and woman with training, employment and career opportunities within their community.

If you are planning a trip on li-Anthawirriyara country, keep a look out for the marine rangers. They are not just protecting the country, they are also there to provide local advice and to assist you. Valuable information including a Code of Conduct for visitors to this area is contained in the brochure Fishing the McArthur River and Sir Edward Pellew Islands that can be downloaded at nt.gov.au. The Code of Conduct was jointly developed by the li-Anthawirryara rangers and NT Fisheries under the settlement agreement reached with the traditional owners for permit-free access to intertidal waters following the 2008 High Court decision on Blue Mud Bay. It provides visitors with guidance on how to respect Aboriginal culture as well as a welcome to country and information on the cultural and spiritual attachment Aboriginal people have to the land and water.

Permits are required to enter Aboriginal land. For information contact the Northern Land Council on 1800 645 299 or visit nlc.org.au.