Issues to simmer at fisho meeting

THERE will be no fish left in Territory waters if locals don't look to the future, a fishing authority says.

THERE will be no fish left in Territory waters if locals don't look to the future, a fishing authority says.

NT Amateur Fishermen's Association boss Warren de With said recreational anglers and commercial fishermen could voice their opinions to Chief Minister Adam Giles and Fisheries Minister Willem Westra Van Holthe at the annual Recreational Fishing meeting today.

Mr de With said one of his biggest concerns was the decline of golden snapper and black jewfish in the greater Darwin region.

He said the reduction in stocks was a result of Darwin's population growth.

"We need to address this so we're not impacted further on down the track," Mr de With said.

"If fish stocks continue to decline, if measures aren't put in place to stop that, then people will say it's not worth fishing in the NT anymore.

"If we don't look to the future then come time, we won't have any fish left in the water.

"(Fishing) is a great past time we take for granted in the Territory."

Mr de With said recovering stocks would only be possible if all sectors "did their bit" to conserve the resource.

"The NT government must address this unsustainable catch effort and targeting of golden snapper by other fisheries or gear types," he said.

Mr de With said other issues to be addressed at the meeting included the construction and funding of the Dundee Beach and Mary River boat ramps, removal of the Mary River barramundi seasonal closure and development pressures.

Limited access to waters covered by the Blue Mud Bay high court decision, which granted the rights of various coastal areas to traditional owners, will also be on the agenda.

"We want the area to be accessed by everyday Territorians without having to get permission," Mr de With said.

Professor Michael Douglas will present the latest scientific research on the impact of water extraction on Northern Australian fisheries.

Mr de With encouraged the general public to attend the meeting, which will be held at Tracy Village Social and Sports Club at 10am today.