Commercial fishos in the gun as CLP commits to gillnet ban
The government will persist with a policy that could see wild-caught barra removed from Territory restaurants. Read why.
Northern Territory
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The NT Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating gillnet fishing - ignoring commercial seafood industry concerns about its impact on wild-caught barramundi.
But Fisheries Minister Gerard Maley said there would be no ‘immediate’ changes to the Territory’s barramundi fishery.
Mr Maley said the government was taking “decisive action”, but did not address seafood industry concerns about the impact of a gillnet fishing ban and the lack of science behind the decision.
The NT’s commercial barramundi season opened on February 1.
“We are taking decisive action while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the barramundi fishery and economic benefits for the Territory,” Mr Maley said.
“This includes a commitment to explore opportunities to transition the commercial barramundi fishery to alternative gear types.
“An advisory group will be established early this year, bringing together experts from all fishing sectors to provide clear and consolidated advice on revising the barramundi fishery management plan.
“This process will ensure all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of this vital industry.”
He said “extensive consultation” would inform development of a draft barramundi fishery plan, despite having already committed to the gillnet ban.
NT Seafood Council chief executive Daniel Capps supported the government’s commitment to a review and a pathway back to a more ordered decision-making process.
“We welcome the minister’s commitment to setting up an advisory committee and a return to a legislated process,” Mr Capps said.
In previous statements he said the Seafood Council opposed the ban.
Last year, NT Seafood Council independent chair Joanne Butterworth-Gray said an “unintended consequence” of the CLP’s blanket gillnet ban would be the elimination of popular wild caught fish species like barramundi from Territorians’ dinner plates.
“One of the unintended consequences of the CLP election policies could be the removal of wild-caught barramundi and king threadfin from the menu of iconic Territory tourism products,” Ms Butterworth-Gray said in December.
“That would be a huge loss to visitors and their motivation for visiting or dining out in Darwin.
“Therefore, it is imperative that the Seafood Council works with the NT Fisheries department, research institutions and other state counterparts to innovate on the gear that is used to catch barramundi and king threadfin.
“If gillnets are to be banned, then the industry must seek to find a more sustainable and publicly-acceptable means of fishing these species.”
Recreational fishos welcomed the recommitment around the gillnet ban and the concept of resource sharing.
AFANT chief executive David Ciaravolo praised the government for recognising recreational fishing.
“We look forward to the CLP government providing clear policy direction on catch shares to NT Fisheries and the new committee, so that the process doesn’t get bogged down like it has other times the resource sharing framework has been applied in the absence of clear guidance from the Government of the day.”
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Originally published as Commercial fishos in the gun as CLP commits to gillnet ban
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