North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu, Member for Arafura
Historic deal for fishing access on the Tiwi Islands
26 November 2014
The Territory Government has reached an historic agreement with the Tiwi Land Council allowing permit-free access to key fishing areas off Bathurst and Melville Island, as well as the Vernon Islands.
“This deal supports the fishing business aspirations of Tiwi Traditional Owners, while also benefiting recreational and commercial fishers. It is a win-win for the local community and Territory fishers,” Chief Minister Adam Giles said.
“The new agreement brings an end to permit fishing off the coast which was introduced in the wake of the Blue Mud Bay High Court decision in 2008. The terms reflect the strength of the relationship between the Territory Government, the Tiwi Land Council and the local community.
“The agreement will grant recreational and commercial fishers, as well as fishing tour operators permit-free access to inter-tidal waters around the southern and eastern regions of Melville and Bathurst Islands, as well as the Vernon Islands.”
Tiwi Islands Adventures, a Tiwi-owned fishing tourism business, will have exclusive access to the north of Melville Island and the western side of Bathurst Island.
“This will create an opportunity for the Tiwi to grow their fishing business, while also providing commercial and recreational fishers permit-free access to other parts of the islands,” local Member for Arafura Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu said.
“This is another example of the Territory Government, Land Councils and Traditional Owners working together for the benefit of all Territorians.”
A permit will be required to use the land-based fishing camps which will be available through the Tiwi Land Council.
Visitors will also be permitted to visit townships of Wurrumiyanga and Pirlangimpi where they may be able to buy fuel and supplies and visit the art gallery, pumping money into the local economy.
Enforceable boundaries with GPS coordinates have been agreed around rivers and creeks in the exclusive access areas.
The 20-year agreement includes:
• A total of $135,000 a year to support the Marine Ranger Program
• A commitment to enhance the powers of Marine Rangers
• A one-off $30 000 payment to build a new recreational fishing camp
• An enhanced Aboriginal coastal licence for community members
• A Code of Conduct to ensure visitors respect the rights of Traditional Owners
“Unlike Labor, we want to support Tiwi Islanders to grow their own local economic opportunities, develop tourism and fishing businesses and create jobs so that they can break the cycle of welfare dependency,” Mr Giles said.
The Tiwi agreement is one of six Blue Mud Bay Fishing access agreements now endorsed by the Federal Government.
Agreements have also been reached for the Upper Daly River, Daly River mouth to Cape Ford, McArthur River/ Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands, Minimini/Murgenella, Nhulunbuy and Wadeye.
The Territory Government is now working with the Northern Land Council to negotiate the remaining agreements.
Media Contact: Danielle Parry 0413 081 801

What a joke, we have now paid for access to somwhere that we always had access.

Never used permits when we went fishing over there anyway..Always believed in Australia being a free country.

Pretty poor that the Western side of Bathurst is off limits. No doubt it's because of the proximity to Darwin. How many trailer boats will ever fish the Eastern side of Melville?

More to do with the old "Barra base on the western end Lats.

After a meeting with the Land Council yesterday it was also confirmed that a US marine base on the eastern side of Mellville is being negotiated, that should cut some access off to

Does any have the GPS co-ords that were mentioned or if not where i may be able to find them

I can't wait to see the results of the first prosecution for accessing 'their' water. Me thinks they won't have a leg to stand on...

Been over there many of times…Has anyone ever been checked for a "permit""????

Been there a couple of times with a permit. The police actually checked us out but only for boating/fishing regs. not interested in our permits.
It would be very difficult for them to id anyone simply because we have no rego or licence system.

I'm not sure what the big deal is! The permit doesn't cost anything, how I read it we have more access then we did a month ago. Plus it looks like the people of tiwi are taking positive control in creating employment for its people which can only be a good thing. We could be in the position of not having access at all.

What is the REAL cost....by the tax payer.

I would be very interested in seeing how much the Tiwi Land Council is being paid (per annum) to allow us to access these areas.

Ben, you don't have any more or less access than you have had in the last 100,000 years. You still can't access the creeks ( which is the only bit that is enforceable) and you can still travel the coast line as close as you like, which you could always do. The only difference is that now the stupid government are paying them off with our cash to shut up. Let's not forget that they need FX in their ranks to hold on to power, and unfortunately, that is going to cost us.

You would be more p...ed off if the government didn't do a deal and then have the TOs give us no access at all. Maybe you don't understand it was high court decision that kicked you out and local government that gave you some back.
The people of tiwi want to create a local economy on the island and good on them, it's there land, we have TOs standing up trying to make change that could put there own people in employment and out of poverty, off the dole and your worried about your fishing spot.

I don't dissagree with your sentiments about work etc, but let's be clear, the high court did not acknowledge native title over anything that is outside the mean low water mark. So what we have just paid for is access to something that was never acknowledged at law.