An agreement reached between traditional owners and the Northern Territory Government has seen the interim permit and licencing scheme currently in place extended till 31 December 2009.

Recreational fishing permits can be applied for through the Northern Land Council's website:
www.nlc.org.au/html/fishing_rec.asp

Earlier this year a High Court decision, known as the Blue Mud Bay case, gave traditional owners exclusive rights over the tidal waters found on Aborignal land, approximately 80 percent of the NT coastline.

This generated significant concerns for the restrictions that could be placed on recreational and commercial Territorian fishermen, the future implications for offshore fishing and precedents set for other tidal waters around Australia.

From an Aboriginal perspective it ended a 30-year fight for rights and potentially provides important economic and employment opportunities for their people.

For more information on the fishing arrangements visit: 
www.fishing.nt.gov.au/

For a long read on the High Court's decision visit:
www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/2008/29.html