Officers from the Northern Territory Water Police have charged a 29-year-old man with possession of illegal fishing equipment and possession of cannabis.

Senior Constable Sean Stanley said Police were advised the alleged offender had been attending an outstation at Bulgul without permission to illegally fish at one of the Creeks.

“Under the Fisheries Act a search of his Humpty Doo property was conducted and Police uncovered nine cannabis plants in different states of maturity.

“Police seized around 2 kilograms in cannabis plants and 77.2 grams of cannabis plant material in four different bags.

“Police also found eight sawfish rostrums as well as two gill nets one being approximately 40 meters in length and the other approximately 20 meters in length.”

The man has been charged with possession of a schedule 2 drug – trafficable quantity, cultivate prohibited drug –trafficable quantity, possession of a gill net, and possession of protected wildlife

Officers from Northern Territory Water Police have also conducted numerous catch checks on amateur fishers in Darwin Harbour, Cox Peninsula and Dundee.

“It was great to see that everyone was showing responsibility and protecting our future fish stock by keeping within the possession limits.

“No fisheries offences were detected during the random inspections and only a few people were cautioned in relation to carrying all the required safety gear.” Senior Constable Stanley said.