Fishing in the region

Traditional Owners have agreed to provide a Permitted Access Area in the Thamarrurr Region, incorporating the tidal waters from Dooley Point in the north to Old Mission in the south, and including the tidal Aboriginal land of Docherty Island. This allows recreational fishers and other recreational users to access these tidal waters without individual permits or permit fees. This does not include permission to access land, including beaches, riverbanks and islands. Persons found on land without a permit risk a fine. Fishers must also observe sacred site restricted areas and other codes of conduct.

No fishing is allowed in the Moyle / Port Keats Reef Fish Protection Area, which includes Emu Reefs and Howland Shoals. This area has been designated to aid in the protection and recovery of “at risk” reef fish species. In other areas, do not target reef fish for catch and release when fishing in a depth of 10 metres or more. Keep the reef fish you catch and utilise them, within possession limits, as released fish are unlikely to survive.

All fishing activity must follow rules set out under the NT Fisheries Act. Possession limits are the maximum number of fish you may have in your possession, however you should only take enough for your immediate needs. For more information on fishing regulations or possession limits, visit the NT Fisheries website:www.nt.gov.au or use the NT Fishing Mate app.

From 1 July 2017 all recreational and commercial fishing will require permission from Aboriginal land owners and Northern Land Council through a permit or grant of a licence to fish in tidal waters over Aboriginal land, i.e. access to the water and land between the low and high tide watermarks. This applies anywhere outside the Permitted Access Area in the Thamarrurr Region, including the Cape Scott area. Please apply for a NLC permit to enter these tidal waters and ask for permission from Traditional Owners.

Commercial operators seeking to access tidal waters over Aboriginal land where an access agreement is not in place will be required to hold a license, granted through a s19 land use agreement.

Permission is required regardless of whether you hold a commercial fishing license issued by the Northern Territory Government. Accessing land for any part of commercial operations without an agreement risks prosecution. Commercial fishers should also be aware of fishing regulations such as closure lines or restricted areas in the Region.