New boat an investment in preserving NT fish stocks

The Territory Government has unveiled its latest investment to keep NT fish stocks safe. Read what it is.

A new fisheries compliance vessel will provide additional protection to the Northern Territory’s fisheries after it entered the water.

Launching the new 5.3m vessel named Caranx on Monday, Fisheries minister Gerard Maley said it would increase the range and response capabilities of the Fisheries Compliance Unit.

“We need to make sure that people out on the water are doing the right thing, getting the right bag limits, making sure they carry the right safety equipment,” Mr Maley said.

“It’s not only about fish stock, it’s also about protection of the boat users and making sure that your boat is compliant with the rules in relation to the right safety gear and ensuring that everyone’s safe out on the waterways.”

Fisheries Minister Gerard Maley with the new fisheries compliance vessel. Picture Julianne Osborne.

NT manager of fisheries compliance Simon Gummer said only about six to seven per cent of fishos broke the rules.

“Non-compliance is low,” he said.

“Generally NT fishos know the rules and value the fishing here and they protect it.

“Non compliance is generally small scale. It’s mostly one or two to many fish or the wrong kinds of fish. It’s what you could simply solve by knowing your limits, understanding your limits and knowing your fish.”

He said Caranx was Latin for ‘giant trevally’.

Mr Maley ruled out the introduction of fisho licensing and boat registration despite them providing additional tools for fisheries compliance.

“We have committed that there will be no boat registrations in the Northern Territory or licences because we want to make sure that the Territory is safe and that’s what the fisheries unit does,” he said.

“They go out there with their boats to ensure that fishos are safe, to make sure that fish stocks are safe because we want to ensure the Territory lifestyle as we move forward continues to be as great as it has been in previous years.”

The latest upgrades to the Fisheries Compliance Unit’s operations include:

The custom-built 5.3m compliance vessel, Caranx, designed for river and remote waterway patrols.

The retrofitting of the Longtail with specialist compliance equipment for coastal operations up to 30 nautical miles offshore.

Enhancements to the Mallarra with thermal and night vision capabilities, enabling it to be used for both compliance and research.

Originally published as New boat an investment in preserving NT fish stocks