It is only fair that the livelihoods of Territorians be taken into consideration

ANY announcements the Northern Land Council make about recreational and commercial fishing permits need to be made wisely and with consideration

FISHOS are growing concerned the incoming announcement from the Northern Land Council (NLC) could dramatically impact fishing in the Territory.

The Sunday Territorian understands the Northern Land Council (NLC) will be releasing a media release tomorrow relating to permits to fish certain parts of the Territory.

This issue has reared its head over several years, and was reignited with a fury late last year.

On December 18 a public notice from the NLC published in the NT News announced from 2021 permits would be required to access Indigenous intertidal waters.

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Days later on December 21 the NLC said recreational and commercial fishermen would not lose access on January 1, and continue to have permit-free fishing until 2022.

Fishing permits are not a new concept. They are required almost everywhere else in the developed world.

But the three days in between the announcement sent the NT government and Territory fishos into overdrive.

At the time, Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT chief executive David Ciaravolo said he feared the public notice could be a death blow for some fishing tour operators.

No matter what the impending announcement is, it is critical fishos are given enough notice.

Fishing is a major commercial and tourism driver in the Territory.

People travel from across the nation, and prior to COVID-19 from around the world, to fish in the Territory’s scenic waters and lure in a once-in-a-lifetime catch.

Dropping a sudden bomb of this magnitude could jeopardise businesses attempting to recover from the financial hit caused by the coronavirus crisis.

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Many local businesses and initiatives such as the Million Dollar Fish could be damaged, and it is not something the Territory can afford at this time when we need to recover and rebound as quickly as possible.

It is only fair that the livelihoods of Territorians be taken into consideration, and that fishos be given enough time to adjust.

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