NT fishers demand answers on commercial netting ban to save 'barra capital' crown
Territory fishing chiefs are fighting to defend NT's 'barra capital' crown as Queensland's Rockhampton threatens to steal the title after banning commercial nets.
The peak body representing recreational fishers in the Northern Territory says the end of commercial barramundi gill nets must be confirmed to ensure the NT remains the best place to bag a barra.
The Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT (AFANT) is holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday in Darwin, representing the Territory’s 60,000 recreational fishers and a $270 million industry.
A priority of the meeting will be to confirm the promised Territory-wide commercial gill net ban is on track to being completed by the end of the 2027 fishing season.
This year more than a hundred metre-long fish were caught at the Rockhampton Barra Bash – prompting the Queensland town to controversially try claim the crown of Australia’s fishing capital.
Rockhampton banned commercial netting in parts of the Fitzroy River in 2015, and has since seen trophy-sized barra catches jump by more than 500 per cent.
AFANT President Warren de With said there should be “no question” about the Territory’s position as barra capital, but warned 2026 would be “a critical year” to ensure the NT’s reputation was in safe hands.
“We must see firm detail about the end of commercial barramundi gillnetting and establish a clear vision for how future allocation and access settings can best support and grow recreational fishing and fishing tourism,” Mr de With said.
“With our natural assets, rugged coastlines and wild rivers offering an enormous range of incredible fishing experiences, there should be no question about the Territory being the barra capital of the world.”
The AFANT meeting will also examine if Golden Snapper stocks around Darwin are still depleted a decade after reef fishing closures and possession limit reductions were introduced to fix the issue.
Water resource planning for the Daly River and Adelaide River catchments are third on the agenda.
Chief executive David Ciaravolo said presentations from NT Fisheries and Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley would be a good opportunity for answers.
“While most long-term fishers have noticed that fishing for Golden Snapper around Darwin is not what it used to be, we do still hear mixed reports from the water,” Mr Ciaravolo said.
“So, the presentation from NT Fisheries will be a good opportunity to check in with the latest research and proposed future management strategies.”
He welcomed anyone interested in the future of recreational fishing to attend the annual general meeting, whether a member or not.
It will be held at The Leea Darwin resort on Cavenagh Street at 6pm, November 19.
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Originally published as NT fishers demand answers on commercial netting ban to save 'barra capital' crown
