Members from the Marine and Fisheries Section apprehended a 69-year-old man from NSW at Shady Camp over the long weekend.

As part of a targeted operation in the Mary River region focussing on bag limits, undersize fish and skins, the man was apprehended with over 40 Barramundi fillets at his campsite.

The fish fillets, a freezer and fishing gear were seized by police. The man was summonsed to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court at a later date in relation to exceeding the bag limit of Barramundi and possessing fish fillets without the skin.

Shady Camp is part of the Mary River Fish Management Zone and is subject to stringent controls on the possession of Barramundi. Persons fishing this area are permitted to have two Barramundi in their possession at any time.

Senior Constable Rogers from MFES said "These regulations are in place to ensure the preservation of our fish stock in this unique area".

"If people ignore these regulations they are not only jeopardising fish stocks but also the future of recreational fishing in the area".

Police checked a number of amateur fishermen over the course of the operation and praised the responsible actions of the majority of those checked.

"We are working in partnership with other agencies and the public to protect our remote fisheries. I encourage any one who observes suspicious or illegal active to report it through the Fish Watch on 1800 891 136".

Media Contact:
Rickie Scoot
8922 3185