Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has called for calm following a landmark High Court decision that found Aborigines control more than 80 per cent of the Northern Territory coast.
The decision has significant implications for the Aboriginal people and the fishing industry, and ends a 30-year battle over rights to the sea.
It means traditional Aboriginal owners have the power to exclude fishermen from the inter-tidal zone.
"It is a landmark victory for traditional owners and we have waited for over 30 years for our sea rights to be legally recognised," said Northern Land Council (NLC) chairman Wali Wunungmurra.
"I think we now have got to negotiate on a lot of things that we disagree on."
The High Court upheld a ruling that had found Aborigines from Blue Mud Bay, in northeast Arnhem Land, had freehold title not only over the, but also the waters above it.
The Court was split five to two.
Mr Rudd refused to be drawn on whether he would consider intervening, saying only that the Attorney-General's Department was considering the decision.
The Country Liberals pledged last year that the Howard government would overturn the initial ruling if re-elected.
"I think the key way through this is common sense," Mr Rudd said.
