The Water Police have been conducting targeted operations in the Daly and Mary River Fish Management Zones in recent months, focussing on bag limits, undersize fish and skins on fish fillets.

As a result of the operation, a 78-year-old man was caught on the Daly River with 34 Barramundi fillets, well over the legal limit.

A 65-year-old man fishing on the Mary River was also caught exceeding the limit with 18 Barramundi fillets.

Fish fillets, fishing gear and a freezer have been seized in both incidents. Both men have been summonsed to appear in Darwin Magistrates Court at a later date in relation to exceeding the Barramundi possession limit in the Daly and Mary River Management Zones.

Senior Constable Kristian Whitbread from the Water Police said the Daly River and Mary River are part of Management Zones and are subject to stringent controls on the possession of Barramundi.

“Members of the public fishing in these areas are permitted to have three Barramundi in their possession at any time, the possession limit for the rest of the Territory is five Barramundi per person.

“There has been the misconception that the Barramundi possession limit is a daily fishing limit.

“For example, in the Daly or Mary River Fish Management areas, a camp or fishing party of two people is allowed a total of six Barramundi, three per person.

“There is also the requirement to leave the entire fish skin on fillets, this is so we can identify the fish species. It is an offence to remove the fish skin.

Police checked approximately 160 campsites over the course of the operations and praised the responsible actions of the majority of those checked.

Water Police are working in partnership with other agencies and members of the public to protect our remote fishing waters.

Anyone who observes suspicious or illegal activity can report it through the Fish Watch on 1800 891 136.

Media Contact

Sarah Trinne

8985 8837