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Broome Pearls Native Title Pearling Agreement |
| Date: | 18 November 2003 | |
| Place: | Cobourg Peninsula / Croker Island Region |
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| State/Country: | Northern Territory, Australia |
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| Subject Matter: | | Cultural Heritage | Employment and Training | Environmental Heritage | Native Title | Recognition of Native Title or Traditional Ownership | Recognition of Traditional Rights and Interests | Marine | Compensation |
| Summary Information: | |
| Traditional owners in the Croker Island/Cobourg Peninsula region of the Top End signed the Northern Territory's first seas-only native title pearling agreement with Broome Pearls Pty Ltd. The four-year agreement clears the way for Broome Pearls to establish pearl farming operations free of native title concerns on three Crown leases over seabed near Valencia Island, in Mountnorris Bay and in Malay Bay. In return, native title holders will have extra rights to ensure environmental and sacred sites rules are upheld, and will also benefit from the payment of royalties as well as training and employment opportunities. The agreement flows from the High Court's decision in the Croker Island Case of 2001 (Commonwealth v Yarmirr) which upheld the existence of non-exclusive native title rights over the sea and seabed in the Croker Island claim area. The agreement marks the first time a pearling company has recognised native title rights over sea country in the Top End. |
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