The Northern Land Council (NLC) has worked out a timeline to negotiate and lock in the sea-country rights of traditional owners with the NT Government.

The Indigenous organisation has committed to allowing permit-free fishing access to Indigenous waters in the Northern Territory until December 2022.

Negotiations around the use of the NT's coastline have been ongoing since a 2008 High Court decision granted traditional owners exclusive access rights to the inter-tidal zone on Aboriginal land.

Despite the decision, commercial and recreational fishers still enjoy free access to the areas between the high and low tide marks on Aboriginal land.

The NLC and NT Government have now agreed on a plan that commits both parties to finalise a number of issues by December 31, 2022.

NLC CEO Marion Scrymgour says the council will allow a permit waiver to continue until that date.

“It is up to the land council to make sure that what we've agreed to [happens],” she said.

“[We need to] go out and talk to sea-country communities and let everybody know that the waiver will exist up until 2022.”

The NT Government has committed to provide $10 million to fund the establishment and support of an Aboriginal fishing body, and work on drafting and introducing a new Fisheries Act Amendment Bill.

The Territory says it will also expand Aboriginal Coastal Licences to increase catches across all managed fisheries and maintain Aboriginal capacity building programs such as ranger fisheries compliance training.

Ms Scrymgour says advocates must make sure Aboriginal people receive the benefits of the High Court decision.

“For the next two years, it means it's time for us to roll up our sleeves and really get the outcomes that Aboriginal people want,” she said.

“The new Fisheries Act needs to include Aboriginal people as part of the Northern Territory's economic program going forward, and it's about how we manage those fisheries in a sustainable way so that they are there for the future.

“Let's make it contemporary legislation that can bring history to the Northern Territory, where it's not just Aboriginal people. It's about everybody having a piece of what is an important part of Territory lifestyle.”

The Amateur Fishermen's Association of the NT (AFANT) wants permit-free access to continue.