Members of the Water Police Section, with the assistance of Fisheries Officers, recovered an abandoned fishing net washed up onto Cullen Beach in Larrakeyah on Tuesday Morning.

The net was reported to Fisheries by concerned members of the public. The net was recovered and found to contain a large number of dead fish including barramundi, threadfin salmon, catfish, mullet and sharks. 

There were no markings on the 35 metre net, which was strung with floats and a lead line. 

Officer in Charge of the Water Police Section, Senior Sergeant Steve Martin thanked members of the public for the prompt report of the abandoned net.

“Abandoned nets such as these pose a serious navigation hazard to mariners.

“Getting a large net caught around your propeller at speed will cause damage to the vessel and potentially serious injury or worse to a vessel’s occupants.

“It is an offence under the Fisheries Act for an amateur fisherman to possess a net of this size and a further offence to abandon fishing equipment, as it continues to pose an ongoing threat to all marine life. 

“Protection and management of our fish stocks and marine life are also vital to sustainability and to the Territory lifestyle generally.

Anyone who comes across abandoned fishing gear or who observes any suspicious activity on and around our waterways should contact the ‘Fishwatch’ Hotline on 1800 891 136.

Media Contact
Sarah Trinne
8985 8837