The High Court of Australia has read out its verdict that sours the relations between two of Australia’s most vociferous social groupings – Aborigines and anglers. The court has awarded control of 7,000km (4,300 miles) of coast to Aborigines communities. This decision gives Aborigines exclusive access to tidal waters in north-east Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory.
This court ruling will allow local communities to ban non-indigenous fishermen from recreational angling and commercial fishing for everything from the barramundi giant perch to mud crabs. But there are people who believe that the ruling could widen the gulf between white and black communities. Until now, anyone with rod, net or line, could access Northern Territory waters, reputed to offer some of the best fishing in the world.
After the ruling the traditional owners will decide how fishing is conducted along 80 percent of the Territory’s coast. Wali Wungungmurra, chairman of the Northern Land Council, which represents indigenous groups in northern Australia, told that they are overjoyed by this decision. They have waited 30 years for their sea rights to be legally recognised.
According to Wungungmurra the ruling would have an adverse effect on the non-indigenous fishing community. He said that a negotiated outcome will mean traditional owners around the Northern Territory’s coastline can jointly participate in the management and development of a sustainable fishing industry. Chris Makepeace, head of the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory, urged the federal government in Canberra to intervene as the association wants some sort of settlement with the indigenous interests.
