Police have charged a 66-year-old man with fishery offences after he failed to retrieve a commercial gill net at Coopers Creek.

Senior Sergeant Paul Faustmann from the Water Police Section said Police received a number of reports on 14 February that two deceased crocodiles had been captured in a commercial fishing net.

“Members from the Water Police Section attended the area and recovered a seven inch gill net approximately 40 metres in length with the remains of two Saltwater Crocodiles, a fish and a crab.”

Police conducted an investigation and located the owner of the gill net.

The 66-year-old commercial barramundi fisherman was charged with the following offences under the NT Fisheries Act:

Licensee fail to exercise direct control

Abandon fishing gear

He will appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on 6 April.

“It is an offence under the Fisheries Act to abandon fishing equipment, as it poses a threat to all marine life,” Senior Sergeant Faustmann said.

“To help protect and maintain our waterways it is important that fishing rules and regulations are observed, both by commercial and recreational fishers.

“Any suspicious or illegal fishing activity can be reported to Police on 131 444.”