Afant News

A great Fishery Getting Even Better

AMATEUR FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF THE NT

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate publication 15 July 2008

A GREAT FISHERY GETTING EVEN BETTER

The Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT (AFANT) has welcomed the announcement from NT Fisheries Minister Chris Natt that Government has commenced the process of fulfilling its 2005 election commitment to buy back three full commercial barramundi netting licences.

“Recreational fishing, particularly fishing for barramundi, is a significant industry in the Northern Territory and it is also one of our most important lifestyle activities,” said AFANT President Warren De With:
“Proportionally, more Territorians participate in recreational fishing than anywhere else in Australia and our wild barramundi are a major drawcard for visitors to the Territory.”
“Our wild barramundi fishery is well managed but there are definite signs of pressure on fish stocks in some areas where they are targeted by both recreational and commercial fishers and this licence buy back should be used to reduce some of this pressure.”

“We have already indicated to Government that there is a need to remove all commercial netting from Bynoe Harbour and the Finniss River and there are emerging issues with pressure on barramundi stocks in the Daly and Mary River areas that also need to be considered.”

“Buying back these three licences is a considerable investment in our high-value recreational barramundi fishery and we will be urging the Minister to ensure that the investment pays off by making significant reductions in commercial fishing pressure in areas which are accessed by recreational fishers,” Mr De With said.

End
Media e
nquiries to Chris Makepeace on 0415 471 600 or Warren de With on 8972 1589

Buyback of Commercial Barramundi Fishing Licences

Chris Natt
MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
10 July 2008

More Barramundi For Recreational Anglers
Recreational fishing in the Territory is set to get even better with the start of a buyback of
commercial barramundi fishing licences, Fisheries Minister Chris Natt said today.

“We’re delivering on an election promise to buyback more commercial fishing licences –
this is great news for anyone who loves to wet a line in the Territory,” Mr Natt said.

“The buyback of three commercial licences will ensure greater opportunities for
recreational anglers, and help sustain the commercial catch.

“This Government has already bought back inshore commercial coastal net fishing
licences and closed Darwin Harbour and Shoal Bay to make recreational fishing even
better.

“Now we seek expressions of interest from commercial barramundi fishermen who wish
to participate in another voluntary licence buyback.

“My Department is contacting all commercial barramundi fishermen to commence
licence buyback negotiations.

“Fishing is the lure of the Territory and remains a family favourite.

“That is why we continue to work hard to make fishing in the Territory even better.
“Barramundi is the icon fish of the Territory and we want to ensure the great fishing
today continues into the future – that is why we are buying back commercial licences.
“We have also increased our fishing infrastructure budget to $1 million for the benefit of
recreational fishermen.

“Boat ownership here is the highest in the country and more than 100,000 tourists who
come here say they wet a line during their stay.”

Contact: Edwin Edlund 0401 119 563

22nd Annual Billfish Tournament

GROOTE EYLANDT GAME & SPORT FISHING CLUB inc
Invites you to the
22nd ANNUAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2008

Proudly sponsored by
ESCAPE SPORT FISHING LODGE
and
ALYANGULA KIOSK & NEWS AGENT

Attention Billfish Enthusiasts,

Groote Eylandt Game & Sport Fishing Club and Escape Sportfishing Lodge would like to invite you and your team to participate in the 2008 Annual Billfish Tournament from the 25th of October to the 2nd of November at Groote Eylandt. It is the 22nd Billfish Tournament (tag and release only) held at Groote Eylandt and 2nd tournament held in partnership with Andrew “ET” Ettingshausen’s recently established Escape Sportfishing Lodge .

This NTGFA & GFAA approved event will focus primarily on Sailfish and small Black Marlin that congregate in the waters surrounding Groote Eylandt this time of year. This event will attract a large number of anglers and interest from fishing media from all around the country.

Last year competing teams fished 3 consecutive days over the 9 glorious days of the tournament. In total 112 Billfish where raised, 62 hooked and 22 successfully Tagged and Released. While this hook up rate may seem a little below average over 70% of anglers last year where first time billfishers! So if you do the sums you will see that the potential this year is huge and we want your team to be a part of it. Most tag and release captures were sailfish between 25 to 40kg and several Black marlin up to 80kg. Marlin up to 200kgs were hooked both during and outside of the event , one cant help but think that there may be a relatively un-tapped Black Marlin fishery here!
Its never a dull day while billfishing off Groote Eylandt with regular by catch including Narrow Barred Mackerel upto 25kg, Long Tail Tuna to 10kg, fence post sized Barracuda and the odd Cobia. While only Billfish will be recognised in the Tournament, weighing facilities will be available on request for anglers looking for individual club points.
IGFA rated 10kg and 15kg line will be suplied at the breifing, however those wishing to fish larger line class may do so. Tags will be provided on a replacement basis.

During October and November the waters surrounding Groote Eylandt offer both excellent fishing and reliably calm weater conditions, allowing teams to camp aboard there boats of an evening and be minutes away from the “billy grounds” the following morning. This also proves popular for teams travelling by boat from Gove and the Roper River (accomidation and fuel can be arranged with prior notice). Proven weigh points to billfish hunting areas will be suplied to all teams.

Groote Eylandt Game & Sport Fishing Club and Escape Sportfishing Lodge expect to see this event fast become one of the premier sport fishing events of the Northern Territory. Don’t miss your chance to become part of this wonderful Tournament in the untouched, fish-rich waters of Groote Eylandt.

For further info contact:
Mark Bowlen
Groote Eylandt Game & Sport Fishing Club Inc.
P.O. Box 622 Alyangula NT 0885
Ph 08 89876368
Email: marksueanne1@bigpond.com.au

Manton Dam Water Quality Project

17 April 2008

Back Up Dam put to the Test

Power and Water is about to begin a project at Manton Dam to test the water quality in the dam under a range of conditions.

The project will help Power and Water to deal with any water quality issues that may arise should the dam be called on to provide an emergency supply.

The results of the project will also provide information that will allow Power and Water to consider how and when Manton Dam may be returned to service in the future as part of its Darwin region water supply source strategy.

Power and Water’s General Manager Water Services, Paul Heaton said the project, which will start on 1 May, will determine the quality of water extracted from the dam at various levels.

“While Manton Dam has always been the emergency water supply source for the Darwin region, there is not a clear understanding of the water quality issues we’ll face should it be needed for drinking,” said Mr Heaton.

“Currently Power and Water has a license to extract around 7,300 ML a year from Manton Dam. The project will see this amount released into the Manton River over the next seven months with a program of water sampling and environmental monitoring.

“The project will run throughout the dry season and up until the beginning of the next wet season.

“The water level in Manton Dam reduces each year by about 1.4m due to evaporation, environmental releases and seepage. While this project will see water levels drop further than this, areas that will be most affected by lower water levels already have restricted access and are not available to the public for recreational use.

“During and after the project, current recreational uses including fishing and water skiing will not change. Power and Water will ensure that the boat ramp will remain serviceable at all times.”

Over the next two weeks, Power and Water will meet with representatives of Manton Dam user groups including the Darwin Water Ski Association and the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory, to discuss the project.

For more information on the Manton Dam 2008 Water Quality Sampling project click here.

Shark Researchers need your Help

SHARK RESEARCHERS NEED YOUR HELP

As part of a study of freshwater and estuarine sharks around the Northern Territory (NT), who better to ask for information than the fishers who frequent these waters? Currently, researchers from Charles Darwin University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and NT Fisheries are trying to assess the abundance and distribution of the relatively common bull and pigeye sharks, as well as the supposedly rare freshwater sharks, and their potential interaction with fishermen.

Little is known about the freshwater and estuarine sharks of the Northern Territory (NT). To better understand these species the scientists are asking you to answer a short questionnaire on whether you have caught sharks while fishing in these areas, and which species you may have caught. The questionnaire is very short and easy, and should take less than five minutes to complete.

The questionnaire can be filled in online, or printed out and returned to NT Fisheries by post or fax (08 8999 2002). All of the questions are related to fishing in freshwater and estuarine areas around the NT. Please answer all questions and provide specific information where requested. We emphasise that it is vital to answer all the questions, as even not catching sharks is valid and important information. A simple identification guide for the three sharks of interest is provided along with an overview presentation of the project. More information can be found at the following website: http://www.cdu.edu.au/ser/FreshwaterEstuarinesharks.htm

Although bull and pigeye sharks are relatively common, little is known about their distribution and abundance in NT water. The speartooth and northern river sharks (Glyphis spp.), are currently listed as critically endangered, although their true numbers are unknown. What is known is that they have been found in rivers and open water along the NT coastline, and the two species and bull sharks are similar in appearance. Small specimens around 60 – 80 cm are found in brackish waters in the upper reaches of tidal rivers but larger ones of up to 3m in estuaries and coastal regions. They were originally named because of the shape of their teeth in the bottom jaw that can be seen even when the mouth is closed (for images see the Identification guide ).