THE Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT (AFANT), the peak body representing
recreational fishers in the Northern Territory, has fully supported proposed amendments to the Barramundi Fishery Management Plan.
“AFANT has described the proposals to remove commercial fishing the Chambers and Finke Bays and to extend commercial closures in Adams Bay and the northern part of Fog Bay is an extremely positive initiative that will have sustainably lifestyle economic and social benefits to the Northern Territory,” said AFANT President Warren de With.
“AFANT is encouraging the government to make the changes to the management plan
without delay to ensure that the government meets there commitment to have the new
recreational only Barramundi fishery in place before the commercial fishery reopens in
February.”
“We have also made a number of suggestions in our submission that are aimed to ensure
that the maximum benefit gained by government from the closures.”
- Removal of the commercial vessel holding areas Mary and Finniss Rivers
- Introduce a Vessel monitoring system for commercial Barramundi fishery to ensure improved compliance and enforcement of the closed areas
- Introduce a slot size limit for Barra and King threadfin salmon
- Remove the lower Mary river closed season to allow year long access to the fishery
- Improve recreational boating access to Chambers and Finke bay
- A full review of the fishing regulations and rules in the Mary River catchment and the closed areas
- Establish a trial to improve floodplain management on the lower Mary River
- Establish a recreational monitoring and data program for the closed areas
- Declare the area of the Mary River and Chambers and Finke bay lure and fly only
“The issues identified in our submission are designed to enhance and improve the social
environmental and economic outcomes from the commercial fishing closures.
“AFANT fully supports the changes to the management plan and want to see them finalised and implemented as soon as possible,” Mr de With said.
