THE Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT) has lodged its submission to the NT’s Mary River National Park Joint Management Plan.
Mary River National Park is located 100 km east of Darwin, covers 112,000 hectares and is jointly managed by the Limilngan and Uwynmil Traditional Owners with the Parks and Wildlife Commission. A previous draft Joint Management Plan was tabled, then disallowed by the Legislative Assembly in February 2013.
“The Mary River National Park and surrounding waterways contain one of the Territory’s
most important recreational fisheries which offers the full diversity of landscapes and fishing experiences available in the Top End,” said AFANT President Warren de With.
“In our submission AFANT has provided comments on a range of issues including weeds and pests, floodplain barrages, crocodile management and improving access. AFANT strongly supports the protecting and improving fishing access rights in the Mary
River National Park.
“AFANT says it has made it clear that the plan needs to provide increased and improved access to the park and its waterways. With increased population pressures around
Darwin it is important that fishing pressure on popular fishing sites is well managed.
“One way of achieving this is increasing access and spreading the recreational fishing effort in the NT as this adds to the fishing experience and opportunities.
“We have specifically noted the opportunities that exist within the park for opening up new areas to fishing, particularly on the areas currently leased by Marrakai Station in the Mary River conservation reserve. As the lease will expire during the life of the plan we are strongly of the view that the licence to graze this area should not be re-issued without access arrangements for the important recreational fishing areas.
“We welcome the acknowledgment on improving access in the draft plan particularly the
proposal to upgrade the Point Stuart road access as well as identifying the need for a new boat ramp on the lower Mary River. Improving access to these areas would be welcomed as a real positive for recreational anglers and will significantly improve access to both Chambers and Finke Bays.
“AFANT looks forward to working with traditional owners and parks management on the
implementation of positive outcomes for recreational fishers.” AFANT President Warren de With said.
More on the Draft Joint Management Plan available at: http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/manage/joint/maryriver#.VDXaFaN_jWA
