Aborigines claim Australian seas

A controversy in Australia over Aboriginal land rights has taken a new turn, with indigenous groups laying claim to vast stretches of the surrounding seas, including part of the Great Barrier Reef.

The authorities say more than one-hundred-and-twenty claims have been lodged on offshore and coastal areas.

The Australian fishing industry says the claims are a potential threat to the lucrative seafood trade.

The federal court is expected to give a ruling on a first test case in February.

The maritime claims come against the background of a continuing political row over government plans to restrict Aboriginal land rights.

Opposition parties are blocking the move and the prime minister, John Howard, has threatened to call an early election over the issue.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service