The Federal Court in Cairns will hand down a historic ruling on Australia's largest native title claim on Friday.
The Torres Strait Regional Sea Claim, lodged nine years ago, covers more than 44,000 square kilometres of sea between the tip of Cape York and the borders of Papua New Guinea.
It includes seabeds, subsoil, reefs, shoals and sandbanks throughout the claim area.
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Traditional owners Leo Akiba and George Mye launched the action on behalf of the Torres Strait Regional Authority in 2001.
The claim aims to establish formal traditional and economic boundaries.
In past cases, the court has recognised traditional owners' "non-exclusive rights" to sea areas, rights that don't restrict access by other parties such as fishermen.
Justice Paul Finn will hand down his finding in the Federal Court in Cairns at 10.15am (AEST).
