Blue Mud Bay
In 2008, the High Court of Australia ruled that permission is required for all commercial and recreational fishers to enter waters overlying Aboriginal land. The High Court also confirmed that the NT Fisheries Act applies in those waters.
Since that time, the Territory Government has been working with land councils and traditional owners to establish agreements that will benefit everyone - Indigenous Territorians, recreational and commercial fishers and other water users.
The first in-principle regional agreement, covering the Malak Malak Aboriginal Land Trust of the Daly River, has been reached between the Malak Malak Traditional Owners, Northern Land Council and Territory Government. The in-principle agreement will guarantee access for fishers as well as investment into infrastructure, employment opportunities and environmental studies.
