Territory fisho's $10k catch

A Top End Fisho who caught a $10,000 barra over a month ago will be stripped of his win.

A Top End Fisho who caught a $10,000 barra over a month ago will be stripped of his win.

UPDATE, JANUARY 31: The Humpty Doo local whose $10k catch was under investigation has officially be deemed illegitimate.

More than a month after he caught the barra at the Little Finniss River, NT Major Events have announced the win would not be counted.

"Investigations and consultation with stakeholders, including the Northern Land Council, showed the MDF7380 fish was caught in a restricted area and the angler did not have an official permit to fish that area at the time of recapture," a statement said,

"The competition’s terms and conditions state participants must obtain the necessary permits and licenses if accessing Aboriginal Land or tidal waters overlying Aboriginal Land for fishing purposes."

UPDATE, DECEMBER 22: The Top End angler who won $10,000 after catching a tagged fish at the Little Finniss River on Sunday may have lost his catch.

Humpty Doo local Nathan Farmer’s 71cm catch was the 10th barra caught by anglers in the latest edition of the Million Dollar Fish.

But comments on the NT News website claimed the fish had been caught in a fishing no-go zone protected under the 2008 High Court ruling, which granted Traditional Owners exclusive access to waters on Aboriginal land in the intertidal zone.

The ruling has been subject to years of negotiations involving successive NT governments, the Northern Land Council and Traditional Owners.

AFANT President Warren de With said breaches of the current rules by anglers would make it more difficult to secure fishermen access to intertidal waters in the future.

“We encourage people to respect Traditional Owners’ wishes in regard to areas that are closed to recreational fishing at this present time,” he said. “If people don’t respect the Traditional Owners’ wishes getting access in the future is going to be very problematic.“

“It is up to Northern Land Council, Traditional Owners and major events to sit down and decide what they want to do. It’s something that’s happened we have no control over. It’s an individual that went into a no-go zone.”

NT Major Events said it is investigating where Mr Farmer’s fish was caught.

“As stipulated in the Million Dollar Fish terms and conditions, participants must adhere to current fishing regulations and obtain the necessary permits and licenses if accessing Aboriginal Land or tidal waters overlying Aboriginal Land for fishing purposes,” the spokesperson said.

“We are currently investigating the latest prize-tagged fish recapture and working with the angler on exactly where the fish was caught and as to whether permits are required.”

The NT News has requested comment from Mr Farmer and the NLC.

UPDATE, DECEMBER 20: CHRISTMAS has come early for a Top End fisho who caught a $10,000 tagged barra at the Little Finniss River on Sunday. 

Humpty Doo local Nathan Farmer reeled in the 71cm catch, the 10th barra caught by anglers since Season 7 of the Million Dollar Fish began. 

The fishing fanatic planned to put some of the cash towards more tackle to try to snag the elusive Million Dollar Fish. 

“We didn’t realise it had a red tag in it until my mate was taking it out of the net and saw it," he said.

"It took a minute to sink in, and when we realised it was crazy – we definitely went into party mode."

Each $10,000 fish caught, an additional $1000 is donated to a selected charity. Mr Farmer chose Shoreline, which cultivates educational programs and employment pathways to create sustainable careers for young Indigenous Australians.

Million Dollar Fish Season 7 runs until March 31, 2022.

EARLIER: Two Top End fishos are each $10,000 richer after catching a Million Dollar Fish competition barra. 

The first fish, a 64cm barramundi caught at Daly River on 4 December, will see Darwinite Tracy Coughlan take home a $10,000 bonus just in time for Christmas.

Tracy Coughlan, Tourism Minister Natasha Fyles, Manolis Zaroufis and Starlight Children’s Foundation National events manager Danielle White

The first female angler to bag a Season 7 fish, Ms Coughlan said she'd be spending the cash on fishing tackle, mates and travel plans. 

“It took me a while to register it had a red tag in the barra, we were so excited when we realised. The cash will come in very handy," she said. 

“Only five minutes before I got the red tag I’d reeled in part of a barra after a shark got it, so we were lucky to bag the $10,000 fish.

“I look forward to spending the money on restocking the tackle box, and will also give some cash to my skipper. I’m also keen to visit family in WA when I can, so will put some towards travel.”

Then, on December 5, Territorian Manolis Zaroufis managed to reel in a red-tagged 72cm barramundi off the Cullen Bay pontoon.

Worth $10,000, this particular fish was one of the 12 released in the Darwin region last month by Santa Claus as part of the Merry Fishmas campaign.

“Words can’t express how excited I was to reel in the red-tagged barra. I was out fishing with two of my mates at Cullen Bay – when I reeled it in we jokingly said to each other to check for a tag and sure enough, there was one," Mr Zaroufis said. 

“I think I’ll spoil myself with the prize money for Christmas, and perhaps get some new fishing equipment.

“This is the first time I’ve registered for Million Dollar Fish, as I’ve only just turned 18, but I’ve been fishing for years. I’m born and bred in Darwin, I’ve always loved fishing and go out almost every day.”

This season, every $10,000 fish caught sees an additional $1,000 donated to a Million Dollar Fish Official Charity Partner.

Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Darwin Star Ball will benefit from the latest Season 7 catches, receiving a cheque for $2,000.

National events manager Danielle White said the Starlight Children's Foundation was grateful for the donation. 

“All funds raised from this campaign will go towards helping Starlight Children’s Foundation deliver happiness to sick kids in the Top End, at a time when they need it most," she said. 

NT Tourism and Major Events Minister Natasha Fyles said it was great to see so many locals catching and winning big. 

"Aside from supporting locals, Million Dollar Fish also helps put the NT on the map and provides a significant boost to our region by increasing interstate visitation," she said. 

“The chances of catching a Season 7 fish have never been higher, after Father Christmas delivered 12 additional barra into the Darwin region last month. There are now 11 left, get out there and wet a line.”

Meanwhile SportsBet external affairs manager Brad Fanning said there were still plenty of tagged fish in Territory waters. 

“The great thing about Million Dollar Fish is that any fisho can win the mill," he said.

"I’d encourage everyone to get out there and try bag yourself a prize-tagged barra just in time for Christmas.”

Season 7 of the Million Dollar Fish competition closes on March 31, 2022. 

To claim a prize-tagged fish or be in the running to win fantastic prizes as part of the monthly Lucky Prize Pool, you must be registered. Registration is quick, easy and free – simply visit milliondollarfish.com.au.

EARLIER: Palmerston fisho Brendan Graham reeled in the prize barra at Darwin Harbour.

Mr Graham was fishing with mates as part of a competition and has participated in several seasons of the Million Dollar Fish.

“I have a boat and get out when I can, and couldn’t believe it when I caught a fish and saw a tag in it,” he said.

“Not only did I snag a tagged barra – the team I was in also won the competition, so it was a great day on the water.”

Tourism Minister Natasha Fyles and Palmerston fisho Brendan Graham. Picture: Supplied.

Fishos who catch a $10,000 barra get to donate a further $1000 to a Million Dollar Fish official charity partner.

Mr Graham chose to donate his $1000 to the Cancer Council NT.

There are still 97 tagged barra worth $10,000 swimming around in Top End waterways, and eight fish worth $1 million.

To be eligible to claim the cash if you catch a tagged barra, you must be registered for Season 7. To register for free, visit milliondollarfish.com.au.