Publications

5. Regional issues in the marine environment - continued

Northern Territory

Population: 157,000, (85,000 on coast, 73,000 in Darwin). Coastline 7,200 km. Coastal areas are generally sparsely inhabited and much of the coastline is designated as Aboriginal land. The marine environment is generally pristine. Problems are largely confined to the Darwin area and are insignificant compared with southern States.(57)

Major Territory and regional issues include:

• localised issues in Darwin
• protection and preservation of Aboriginal sites of significance
• Aboriginal fishing rights (84% of coast is Aboriginal land)
• recreational fishing, conflicts in catch-sharing
• offshore petroleum exploration and production

Northern Territory