Fishing on Aboriginal land

The Daly River mouth region consists of the coastline to the boundary of Mabaluk land within the Daly River/Port Keats Aboriginal Land Trust.

The Daly River features a broad range of rich and diverse habitats supporting various species including:

• migratory birds
• native marsupials
• reptiles
• fish.

The Traditional Owners of the middle reaches of the Daly River and the surrounding area are the Malak Malak people.

You must respect the cultural importance of these waters to the Malak Malak people.

From time to time, Aboriginal cultural ceremonies take place. This may mean a particular area is temporarily closed to access.

Access to waters

Recreational fishers, fishing tour operators and commercial fishers do not need permits to access waters in the Daly River and Daly River mouth regions.

Possession limits apply.

The area between Moon Billabong Outlet to Anson Bay is closed from 1 October to 31 January.

For more information, get the fishing the Daly River guide PDF (2.3 MB).

The Sir Edward Pellew group of islands and some of the surrounding coastline are managed by the Yanyuwa people.

There are many cultural heritage sites on the islands and mainland.

The McArthur river delta is an important nursery habitat for many popular fishing species.

You must respect the cultural importance of the land and waters to the Yanyuwa people.

Access to land and water

Recreational fishers, fishing tour operators and commercial fishers do not need permits to access waters within the McArthur River and Sir Edward Pellew Islands region.

For more information go to the Northern Land Council website.

Get the McArthur River and Sir Edward Pellew Islands fishing guide PDF (1.1 MB).

The Tiwi Islands are made up of the Melville and Bathurst islands and smaller islands.

The Vernon Islands are within the Tiwi estate.

You must respect the cultural importance of the land and waters to the Tiwi Traditional Owners and the custodians of the area.

From time to time, Tiwi cultural ceremonies take place. This may mean a particular area is temporarily closed to access.

Access to waters

You don't need a permit to fish intertidal waters around the southern and eastern regions of Melville and Bathurst islands, Vernon Islands or Aspley Strait, including rivers or creeks.

You can fish and access these waters above but you must have a permit to go ashore and access camp sites.

Where you can't fish

You must not fish or go ashore on the west coast of Bathurst Island from Deception Point south to the Cape Fourcroy lighthouse and the north coast of Melville Island from Cape Van Diemen in the west to Quanipiri Bay in the east.

You're not allowed in all creeks, rivers, estuaries and intertidal waters in this area.

You can be fined if you break the rules. Read how to report suspected illegal fishing.

Safe anchorage areas

You must not fish in safe anchorage areas at Johnson River, Milikapiti, Snake Bay and Port Hurd.

You can shelter in these areas only if there is bad weather.

How to apply for a camping permit

You need a permit to access 2 campsites in the area that have roofed shelters.

To apply for a camping permit, go to the Tiwi Land Council (TLC) website.

You must contact the TLC 24 hours before you visit the townships of Wurrumiyanga and Pirlangimpi.

You may buy fuel and supplies or visit the art gallery. For all other areas in the Tiwi Islands, you must apply for land or recreational fishing access.

For more information, maps and rules, read the Tiwi Islands fishing guide PDF (1.3 MB).

To find out more about the Tiwi Islands, go to the Tourism NT website.

Wadeye is the main community and service centre for the Thamarrurr region.

The Kardu Yek Diminin are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Wadeye is situated.

The Thamarrurr region is part of the Daly River Port Keats Aboriginal Land Trust.

There are thousands of cultural sites in the region including ceremony and sacred sites.

The Moyle River and floodplain provide important habitat for migratory birds, breeding grounds for fish and crocodiles and food for grazing animals.

You must respect and recognise the cultural, spiritual, social and economic values of the land and water to the people.

Access to land and waters

Recreational fishers can fish in the intertidal waters from Dooley Point to a point south of the Old Mission including the tidal area of Docherty Island.

Recreational fishers, fishing tour operators and commercial fishers don't need a permit to access these waters.

You must not fish or come ashore in any other areas.

You must have a permit to access the land. To apply for a permit, contact the Northern Land Council office in Darwin on 08 8920 5100. To apply online go to the Northern Land Council website.

The Gove Peninsula in northeast Arnhem Land includes Nhulunbuy township, Yirrkala and Melville Bay.

Many of these intertidal fishing spots lie over Aboriginal land.

You don't need a permit to fish in these waters if you are a recreational fisher.

You should respect the traditional owners’ code of conduct. You can read the code of conduct in the Fishing Northeast Arnhem Land guide PDF (984.3 KB).

To find out more go to the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation website.

Contact

For more information contact the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation.

Lot 1620
Arnhem Road
Nhulunbuy NT
Phone: 08 8939 2700
permits@dhimurru.com.au

You don't need a permit to access the intertidal, reef and beach areas along Cox Peninsula and Bynoe Harbour to fish and camp.

There are sacred sites in the area where the general public is not allowed to go.

Traditional owners believe that unauthorised activity or damage to these sites could have serious repercussions for them under their traditional law.

Do not enter these sacred areas.

For a detailed map and more information go to the Northern Land Council website.

Fishing rules and codes of conduct

All of the following code of conduct rules apply on Aboriginal land:

• all fishing possession limits and rules apply in all areas of the NT, whether on Aboriginal land or not
• certain areas may be temporarily closed for cultural ceremonies with little or no notice
• do not enter areas containing identified sacred sites
• follow alcohol restrictions for the area
• do not enter no-fishing zones
• take only the fish you need and follow the guidelines for releasing your catch
• be courteous to other water users and the local Aboriginal community
• do not clean or dispose of fish near an Aboriginal community
• remove rubbish and dispose of it correctly to avoid trapping birds and aquatic creatures.

Apply for a permit

You need a permit to enter Aboriginal land. You may also need a permit if you want to fish on or access tidal waters overlying Aboriginal land.

For more information or to apply for a permit go to the Northern Land Council website. You can contact the council by phone on 1800 645 299.

For information about fishing at the Tiwi Islands, including how to get camping permits, go to the Tiwi Land Council website.

To find out about fishing at Groote Eylandt, including how to get camping permits, go to the Anindilyakwa Land Council website.