Government commits to improving fishing access and more reefs

A re-elected Labor government will spend $2m developing artificial reefs. Read what’s planned.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, another politician with a fist-full of recreational fishing dollars has emerged.

Recreational Fishing Minister Joel Bowden was at Doyles Ramp near the Darwin Ski Club on Wednesday to announce an additional $3.8m taxpayer funding to improve recreational fishing access and infrastructure.

Mr Bowden said $2m would be spent developing a new artificial reef and fish aggregating device network in coastal waters off Darwin.

The new reef would create a stand-alone habitat and be supported by a comprehensive monitoring program to better understand the movements of recreational fish species.

The new reef would be in addition to existing artificial reefs at Fenton Patches, Darwin Harbour, Dundee, Adelaide River mouth, North Gutter and Lee Point.

Tourism Minister Joel Bowden and AFANT chief executive David Ciaravolo.

The Labor government will also spend $600,000 to continue the annual NT fish stocking program, with over 115,000 barramundi to be released into dams and lakes without natural breeding habitats including Manton Dam, Palmerston Lakes, Rum Jungle and McMinns Lagoon.

As well, it will invest $900,000 towards constructing all abilities access platforms at Dinah Beach, Shady Camp and Corroboree Billabong boat ramps.

The money is coming from the Territory government’s $50m RecFishing Futures Program.

Mr Bowden said fishing was worth $270m to the Territory economy annually and about 60,000 Territorians regularly go fishing.

“When you go fishing in the NT we want you to be able to catch a fish, that’s why we’re investing $2m into artificial reefs that will go a long way in the next couple of years,” he said.

“You can go out, mark it on your sounder, drop a line and catch a beautiful reef fish in Darwin Harbour.”

Amateur Fishermen’s Association NT chief executive David Ciaravolo said fishing should be as widely accessible as possible and welcomed the additional money for infrastructure upgrades.

“We want fishing to be as accessible to as many people as possible and that’s why we welcome having the investment in artificial reefs close to Darwin and we also welcome the investment in the accessible fishing platforms.

“That’s going to mean that people who are mobility impaired and people who have a little bit of challenges getting in and out of their boats are going to be able to access fishing more easily.”

Originally published as Government commits to improving fishing access and more reefs