Black Jewfish Fishing Guide for the Northern Territory

• You are deemed not to have taken, or to be in possession of, a black jewfish if, as soon as practical after you catch it (allowing for it to be detached from the line, measured, weighed in a landing net or photographed) you release it to the water with as little injury as possible to the fish.
  
  
• Some special fishing controls apply in Kakadu National Park. Contact the Australian Nature Conservation Agency for advice (Kakadu HQ tel. 8938 1100).
  
  
• You do not need a fishing licence for recreational fishing in the Territory: but none of your catch may be sold or bartered.

The Black Jewfish ('Jewies')
Protonibea diacanthus

The black jewfish is one of the Top End’s largest reef fish. They can exceed 30 kg, but schools of 5-15 kg fish are more common. Black jewfish are distinguished by their large size and silver / grey colouring. A golden hue may be evident on estaury caught specimens. Juvenile fish have 5 dark bars along the back and many black spots on the upper half of their body, dorsal fin and tail. Jewfish are also known as ‘croakers’ as they can produce a ‘drumming’ sound with the aid of their swim bladder.

Jewfish have a particular affinity for sunken wrecks such as those in Darwin Harbour and the artificial reefs placed by the Fisheries Division, offshore on Fenton Patches. They commonly hit the line hard and will fight strongly all the way to the boat.

Other Croakers (Jewfish)

There are many other similar species of croakers to the black jewfish which can be caught in the Northern Territory. However, these fish are generally much smaller and have other features which easily distinguish them from the black jewfish. If in any doubt about the identity of fish, assume you have a black jewfish.

The Croaker, Nibea squamosa is one of the larger species of croaker. They can reach a total length of 80 cm, but are more commonly caught between 40-50 cm in length. They are distinguished by their blunt snout and pink / brown colouring. In addition, prominent bony lumps develop on the dorsal and tall fins in larger fish.

The Solider Croaker, Nibea soldado can reach a total length of 60 cm, but are more commonly caught between 30-40 cm in length. They are distinguished by a high arched back and an overall silvery colour. In addition, the margin of the dorsal fin is very dark.

The Little Jewfish, Johnius vogleri can reach a total length of 30 cm. They are one of the smaller species of croaker and can be distinguished by the black outer portion of the first dorsal fin and the dark stripe often present on the lower part of the second dorsal fin.

Personal Possession Limit

The Territory has a personal possession limit for the black jewfish. The other jewfish species are not included in the limit. This control has been put in place to reduce the potential fishing pressure and assist in ensuring the long term sustainability of the black jewfish in the Northern Territory.

A person must have no more than 5 black jewfish in possession at any time, other than in a permanent place of residence.

Releasing a jewfish from a line is often fatal for the fish, especially when taken from deeper water. If you find you are catching well in an area and look like taking more than you need, or will exceed the possession limit for black jewfish, it makes sense to change areas or target different species.

Catching Your Jewfish

Black jewfish can be taken in Territory waters all year round. They take a variety of baits, including squid, pilchards, mullet, tuna and mackerel. Small fish, fished on the bottom, also work well.

‘Jewies’ inhabit a variety of waters, including deep holes in river and creek mouths, and rocky ledges near headlands. Schooling jewfish are commonly found around artificial reefs whilst single fish may be taken almost anywhere, sometimes even far up the tidal reaches of rivers and creeks.

Jewfish are usually taken using heavy handlines during neap tides or when there is very little tidal movement. The basic reef fishing rig which has the hooks placed above the sinker on the line, can be used very successfully on jewfish.

Releasing Your Jewfish

If you wish to return a ‘jewie’ to the water then follow these tips which help released fish survive:

• Release fish as quickly as possible;
  
  
• If practical, remove the hook while the fish is still in the water;
• Never hold a fisn in or around the gills, as this will damage vital blood vessels;
  
  
• Don’t lat the fish on a hot surface or allow it to thrash around on the floor or against the side of the boat; and
  
  
• Revive a tired fish by holding it gently in the water and moving it forward slowly to force water through the gills.

Handling After Capture

Fish that you want to keep should be bled (cut behind or under the gills) immediately after capture. Ideally, the fish should be bled in a large bin of ice and water, which reduces blood clotting, assists in bleeding and reduces the temperature of the catch. The fish can then be placed on ice or in a cool place out of the sun. When handled in this way the black jewfish are excellent table fish, whether cooked fresh or after freezing. If, however, you don’t bleed a jewfish promptly and you leave it in the sun, the flesh will quickly begin to spoil.

Back to Fishing Regulations