North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

I put the questions below to the NT Govt and the answers appeared in the Sunday Territorian newspaper fishing pages last week ...

*****

The big question anglers ask as they head into each new year is: Will the fishing be better?

Will we have access to more fishing spots? Will existing spots be protected or improved?

Likewise, tackle shop owners and charter operators ask: Will the Territory's recreational fishing industry provide more income this year, or less?

The weather will decide fishing quality in the near future - a good wet season means good fishing.

On the longer term, NT Government policy will decide our fishing quality.

The NT's overall fishing reputation has been boosted by the closure of the McArthur and Adelaide Rivers to barramundi nets in recent years, and the steady growth of artificial reefs near Darwin.

Our reputation has also taken hits, with the collapse of the Gulf of Carpentaria's mud crab resource and government data showing that the Top End's barramundi stocks have been taken above sustainable levels in recent years despite river net closures and recreational fishing controls.

The closure of pastoral stations such as Wollogorang and Queensland's Escott Lodge on the Burketown-to-Borroloola track hasn't helped the self-drive fishing market.

So what does the NT Government have in store for fishermen in 2006? The Sunday Territorian put some questions to the NT Fisheries Group this week.

Q. Are there plans to strengthen recreational fishing management within
the NT fisheries department to more accurately represent the economic value
of fishing tourism in the NT, perhaps by moving staff position(s) from the
commercial fisheries side to the recreational fisheries side?

A. Under this Government, a Recreational Fishing Unit was expanded within the
Fisheries Group. In terms of fisheries managers, they deal with both
recreational and commercial issues rather than being specifically for one
sector.

In terms of our overall commitment to recreational fishing, more than $15 million will be
invested over the next four years. The key initiatives include stabilising the Mt
Todd mine site (because it flows into the Daly River), buyback of commercial
licences, a new boat ramp at Hudson Creek, $2 million to improve fishing
facilities, a pontoon at Dinah Beach and ongoing support for AFANT and fishing
clubs.


Q. Are there proposals to improve the NT's recreational fishing
experience given that other states are lifting their game with recreational
fishing havens, fish stocking, net closures etc.

A. Our key initiative has been a five year plan/10-year vision to ensure we
continue as the premier barramundi destination. Commercial and recreational anglers
together with the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines have been
working on this groundbreaking plan which will be finalised shortly. For the
first time, we are attempting to have a plan so that everyone knows where we're
heading with our barra fishery over the next 10 years.
The Territory has a history of leading Australia when it comes to recreational
fishing - we want to ensure that it continues into the future - the closure of
the McArthur and Adelaide Rivers to commercial barra fishing were the key
initiatives of this Government's first term.

It seems that in QLD stocking impoundments with barramundi and other species
seems to be all the rage . Here in the NT, we continue to stock available
impoundments - Mt Todd, Lake Bennet, and Manton Dam - and we will look for
additional opportunities, but thankfully we haven't dammed all our rivers.
Impoundment fishing certainly has a following and it seems that word has got
out about Manton Dam - perhaps our new stocking technique is paying dividends?

The Government's position on the Daly - no cotton, no dams and controls on
clearing was made in recognising that it was one of our premier barra rivers and
a sign that this Government does recognise that fishing is the lure of the
Territory!

In terms of Mt Todd, this was afforded the highest priority by AFANT, given past
fish kills in the area and that it flows to the Daly. During the last dry season,
$5 million was invested in minimising offsite impacts. This shows that this
Government is serious about investing in recreational fishing. We would have preferred to
have spent the money on other initiatives, but this was seen as the most
important issue to deal with to protect the reputation of the Daly River.


Q. When are Point Stuart and Channel Point fishing access points to be opened?

A. Both openings were promised in 2005 but postponed until the dry season of 2006. The opening of Channel Point Coastal Reserve in 2006 is still on track but according to the most recent advice there is some doubt about Point Stuart. (A Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman has since indicated to the Sunday Territorian that Point Stuart is likely to open in the middle of this year's dry season).

Q. Are all excess barramundi fingerlings from the Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) being
used for restocking?

A. Yes they are. In 2005 in excess of 100,000 fish were released into fresh water
impoundments around Darwin. The release program is expected to continue as
excess fish become available.

Q. Is it true that excess fingerlings are being sent to a fertiliser factory?

A. The short answer is yes. From every batch of fish produced from the DAC, there are
some fish that are not deemed to be suitable either for the fish farms or for
stocking. These runts are destroyed, and rather than just dump them they are
turned into something useful.

Q. Has saltwater barramundi stocking ceased?

A. Stocking of impoundments is currently our priority and issues to do with possible future saltwater stocking are being considered. At this stage there is no evidence to suggest that stocking barramundi into
saltwater areas such as Darwin Harbour is either effective or desirable. Fisheries maintains that the fish stocks of Darwin Harbour are well managed and that there is no need to provide "extra" fish. Stocking of impoundments equates to maximising the benefit of the stocking program to Territorians.

Q. What is the progress on the promised barramundi net licence buybacks?

A. Commercial barramundi licence holders (and other fishery stakeholders) met
recently to formulate a 10-year-vision, five-year-plan for the commercial
barra fishery and it is through this process that any licence buy back proposals
will be progressed.

Q. What is the progress of the promised Finniss River and Bynoe Harbour
commercial netting closures?

A. No promises have been made regarding the Finniss River. The NT
Government has committed to create a marine park in Bynoe Harbour. The details
underpinning the uses of aquatic resources in the planned marine park remain to
be decided. Consultation will be forthcoming following the direction of the
recommendations of the Bynoe Harbour Marine Park Advisory Committee. The
committee (including representatives from AFANT and NTSC) convened for the first
time 25 January 2006.

Q. Any other plans/news from the NT Government for the year ahead?

A. Fisheries is currently identifying design options and cost for a futher survey of recreation fishing to supplement information from the 1995 and 2000 surveys.

Since these questions were put the Sunday Territorian has also learned that there may be developments later this year at the hugely popular Lee Point Artificial Reef System. Last year the NT Government scuttle a boat at the existing Tipper Reef site to add to the Bottlewasher, Rick Mills and Tippers sites.