Easter proves quiet on NT waters as fishers respect social distancing

COVID-19 has kept NT fishos off the water in what is a traditionally busy period on Top End waterways.

There was plenty of space for fishos to keep their distance at Fannie Bay over the Easter long weekend. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• Fishos urged to catch on to social distancing restrictions

COVID-19 has kept NT fishos off the water in what is a traditionally busy period on Top End waterways.

Fisherman were checking with authorities on guidelines were before heading out on the water in a bid to follow social distancing rules.

Amateur Fishing Association NT chief executive David Ciaravolo said fishos wanted to do the right thing.

“We’ve certainly had a lot of people clarify the rules with us so they can comply and while places like Dinah Beach haven’t been as busy as they might be on Easter there are still people going out,” he said.

“It looks like people are fishing with household members which is what we needed to see.”

Outside of Darwin, Dundee Beach saw a quieter year than usual, with a few boats out on Easter Sunday after a quiet Saturday, while Daly River had good weather and a lot of locals on the water for their regular Sunday fish.

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Fishing and Outdoor World’s Ronald Voukolos said fishos were sticking to their local spots rather than going for a weekend adventure.

“There seems to be a fair few out just watching the boats leave the ramp … looks like it’s been steady,” he said.

“From a sales perspective it’s a lot quieter than usual. Easter would be the busiest time of year for us, it’s like our Boxing Day.

“Normally with four days people head out of town with a few days worth of product – we’re not seeing that this year.”

Fannie Bay resident Richard Baker cast off from the Darwin Ski Club boat ramp with sons William Brown, 16, and Harrison Baker-Brown, 10.

“We live just around the corner so we fish here all the time. I’ve fished here all my life,” he said.

“It’s good tides, (we’ve) fished most of the weekend here or around the back of East Point. We’re fishing the high tide, we’ve caught a 55cm barra.”

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With social distancing restricting fishos to only hit the water with housemates or family members, it has made for a different Easter but Mr Baker said people seemed to be doing the right thing.

“We knew it’d be pretty quiet, there’s a few people who came down after us. There was another group down the beach but we just kept apart. There’s plenty of open space so you can do that,” he said.