Commercial fishos say gillnet ban is blatant vote grab

The Territory’s commercial fishing industry has responded to the government’s gillnet fishing ban. Read why they’re seething.

NT Seafood Council chief executive Daniel Capps said the body “strongly opposes” the government’s proposed gillnet fishing ban, saying there is no evidence banning the practice will meet Chief Minister Lawler’s aim to boost recreational fishing.

The Chief Minister’s announcement last week follows years of protests against gillnet fishing that has escalated in recent months, including a packed-out rally at Mindil Beach Casino in March.

The Seafood Council appears to be at odds with other stakeholder groups including key industry player Wild Barra Fisheries, which owns eight of the 14 active gillnet licences, with company director Cameron Berryman saying buyback compensation had to be “fair and reasonable”.

NT Seafood Council chief executive Daniel Capps

According to the NT government website, there are more than 200 commercial fishing licences, 190 registered fishing vessels and 5500 tonnes “of fish and aquatic life” harvested each year from 15 wild harvest fisheries.

In 2023, wild-caught barra made up 160 tonnes of the Territory’s total catch, while 6000 tonnes total catch came from aquafarming.

Mr Capps said the policy was “aimed at grabbing votes from a noisy minority and lacks economic or scientific credibility”.

“The consequence of this decision is to undermine the objectives, policies and procedures that the government has tasked NT Fisheries to implement,” he said.

“It’s a cavalier approach that risks good governance based on transparency and accountability. Policy developed for political expedience undermines the government and erodes investor confidence.

“This policy will harm the livelihoods of professional fishers, including Aboriginal coastal licence holders and reduce the availability of wild-caught barramundi and king threadfin for Territorians and visitors.

“So, what influences have resulted in the Lawler government making this choice? It certainly isn’t data or science – (the Chief Minister’s) own department have confirmed that barramundi stocks are in pristine condition.

“Further, most of the key recreational fishing areas are closed to commercial barramundi fishing. There is no evidence that banning gillnets will boost recreational fishing.

“When governments make policy on the run there can be unintended and disastrous consequences. The NT government should support those in a sector that is facing difficulties due to external factors, with sound and well considered government objectives and policies.”

West Barra Fisheries Cameron Berryman left open the option of supporting buybacks but for the time being, two months out from the NT election, it was “business as usual” for the commercial industry.

Ms Lawler said the government’s estimates put the phase-out bill at roughly $15 million, which included the buyback and moving the industry to line-fishing licences.

CLP agribusiness and fisheries spokesman Josh Burgoyne said the party would also ban gillnets if it was elected. The Territory’s conservative political party has a history of division around commercial fishing.

Before the 2012 NT election the party’s then leader Terry Mills announced a commercial fishing buyback without prior stakeholder consultation that horrified then NT Seafood Council chief executive Peter Manning and angered pro-business elements of the CLP wing.

The first question in an Amateur Fishing NT questionnaire sent to the major political parties in May seeking their views on the recreational industry was: “Will your party commit to genuine fishery reform and phase out gillnetting for barramundi over the next term?”

In March, Carefish NT hosted a packed forum supporting recreational fishing and tourism “while concurrently supporting a sustainable high value net free commercial barramundi fishing industry”.

It has been a heady introduction for Mr Capps, who replaced long-time NT Seafood Council chief executive Catherine Winchester on June 10.