Parties invited to negotiate Torres Strait regional sea claim 

The National Native Title Tribunal has placed media advertisements this week inviting people with interests in waters covered by the Torres Strait Regional Sea Claim to register for talks aimed at reaching negotiated agreements.

National Native Title Tribunal Regional Manager Mr Steve Ducksbury said the native title applicants had asked for their traditional rights to be recognised over a 44,120 square kilometre area seaward of the high water mark in the Torres Strait and Coral Sea between Cape York Peninsula and the mainland of Papua New Guinea.

'People or organisations with interests in the area claimed may want to be involved in working out how their rights may coexist with native title holders,' Mr Ducksbury said.

'By registering for talks, people may have the opportunity to participate in mediation meetings with the applicants and other parties. The Tribunal conducts these meetings, aiming to resolve associated issues and reach voluntary agreements that respect everyone's rights and interests. The mediation process is the first step in determining these applications.'

Mr Ducksbury said a large map of the claim area and relevant information will be on display at the Torres Shire Council in the near future.

Any person who thinks they may have an interest in the claim has until 3 December 2002 to apply to the District Registrar of the Federal Court to 'become a party' to the application. The Federal Court is responsible for deciding who can be a party to an application and whether or not mediation should take place. The Federal Court refers the application to the Tribunal when it has decided that mediation is required.

The National Native Title Tribunal proposes to hold an information session about the claim later this year, and prior to the end of the notification period, on Thursday Island. Details of the session will be announced shortly.