Members from the Marine and Fisheries Enforcement Section (MFES) have seized a quantity of fish, a boat and apprehended three males aged 43, 53 and 55 in relation to a haul of fish located in their camp on 31 March.
MFES members were conducting a targeted operation in the Southern Gulf region focussed on managed species bag limits, undersize fish & skin retained on fillets. This patrol attended the Limmen River area on Tuesday and conducted inspections of recreational fishing camps.
Officers located and seized 122 Barramundi fillets stored in a large freezer, a four metre dinghy, a 30 HP Yamaha Outboard, a Honda generator and all the fishing equipment in possession of the party.
Also of note was the fact that all the fillets had the skin removed. The removal of the skin makes the identification of fish species difficult for police and this is a primary reason for it being an offence to remove the skin until they have returned to their permanent residence.
All three males are to be summonsed for exceeding the possession limit for Barramundi and possessing fish fillets without skin. One of the males is also to be summonsed for possessing an undersized Barramundi. All are to appear in the Darwin Magistrate's Court at a later date.
Sergeant Peter Russell from Marine and Fisheries said that it was a great result for Police.
"I would like to remind all Territorians & Tourists alike, that the possession limit of Barramundi is five per person and the minimum size limit is 55 cm.
"It is believed that the males, from New South Wales and Queensland, had been fishing in the Limmen River for approximately a week."
"It is clear from the evidence and their statements to Police that their intention was to fill their freezer with Barramundi before returning home. This sort of fishing activity places a huge burden upon the Barramundi stocks and puts at risk the future of recreational fishing in the area" he said.
Police are concerned that this kind of activity and mindset has become more prevalent in the area over the last few years.
This is attributed to vehicles, vessels and large amounts of fishing equipment having been seized and forfeited to the Crown for similar offences involving recreational fishers.
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Amy Sloan
8922 3365
