Play by rules at barrage

The Shady Camp barrage offers a rare opportunity to catch barramundi from land.

Shady Camp Barrage during the dry season and then during the wet season

The Shady Camp barrage offers a rare opportunity to catch barramundi from land.

It periodically impedes the natural migration of barramundi, which commonly aggregate on either side, making them easier to catch.

High numbers of sub-legal barramundi are caught from the barrage every year and it is important that the survival prospects of these fish are being optimised.

Special fishing controls are applicable in the Mary River Fish Management Zone (MRFMZ), including at the Shady Camp barrage.

■ A personal limit of three barramundi in your possession at any time.

■ Fishing in the area within 100m of the barrage is limited to lures that carry only a single hook point to enable the quick release of sub-legal fish and those caught in excess of possession limits with ­minimal injury.

■ Bait fishing (live or dead) is prohibited. Baited hooks often result in deeply hooked fish with fatal consequences.

■ The possession of cast nets or drag nets is prohibited in the Mary River Fish Management Zone. This is mainly because it is possible to net large quantities of juvenile barramundi in one cast.

This could result in many fish deaths; even if release ­attempts were made, net injuries could lead to significant cryptic mortality.

Unfortunately of late, there are some reports of people ignoring the regulations around the Shady Camp barrage.

The NT water police section has been conducting operations in the area and will continue to do so to ensure regulations are complied with.

If you do observe suspected illegal fishing activity, please call the fishwatch hotline on 1800 891 136 or ring the water police directly on 8947 0391.