Fisheries NT

07/09/2026

Working together on our waterways 🤝

Our Fisheries Compliance Officers recently joined NT Police Search and Rescue Officers for a patrol of the Territory's Reef Fish Protection Areas.

📍https://nt.gov.au/marine/recreational-fishing/when-and-where-to-fish/reef-fish-protection-areas

By working together, we're able to extend our presence on the water, share expertise, and make the most of available resources—all while helping protect our valuable fisheries.

Keep an eye out next time you're on the water—you may see Fisheries and Police officers working side-by-side aboard the same vessel.

We look forward to many more opportunities to collaborate and support sustainable fisheries across the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Police Force

🎣🚔

01/09/2026

Mud crabs can wear the signs of love 🦀❤

Not all scars tell a story of survival- some tell a story of reproduction.

After mating, male mud crabs can be left with distinctive mating scars. These appear as dark spots or abrasions on the underside of the crab.

The good news? These marks don't affect the eating quality of the crab in any way.

At NT Fisheries, we monitor mud crabs at Darwin holding facilities before they're sent interstate. Recording the presence of mating scars is just one of the many pieces of information we collect.

These scars are more than just marks – they're a sign that a male has recently mated. They help fisheries scientists better understand breeding activity and monitor the health of mud crab populations.

So, next time you’re lucky enough to catch a mud crab, take a closer look. You might just spot nature's own “love marks”!
📸 Wayne Baldwin

31/08/2026

🐟 Did You Know? Darwin has two Aquatic Life Reserves – but can you go fishing there?

To help protect important aquatic habitat and fish stocks around Darwin, two Aquatic Life Reserves were established in 1993 with specific rules for recreational fishers.

📍 Doctor's Gully Aquatic Life Reserve

Located within Darwin Harbour, Doctor's Gully is a popular tourist attraction where fish gather in large numbers during high tide.

To protect these aggregations, it is prohibited to:
❌ Take fish or aquatic life
❌ Injure or destroy fish or aquatic life
❌ Possess fish or aquatic life

📍 East Point Aquatic Life Reserve

East Point is a popular and easily accessible fishing location. Recreational fishing is permitted but only using a rod and line or handline.

Within the reserve, you must not:
❌ Take fish less than 30 cm in length
❌ Take or injure sedentary organisms such as corals and molluscs

🔗 Learn more about Darwin's Aquatic Life Reserves here: https://nt.gov.au/marine/recreational-fishing/when-and-where-to-fish/rules-for-fishing-in-specific-areas

⚠️ It's important to read the signs and familiarise yourself with the rules before fishing in or near these areas. Penalties for offences can be significant.

NT Fisheries has recently received reports of people doing the wrong thing in these reserves, as a result compliance patrols will be increased.

🎣 Do your part to protect NT fish stocks and aquatic life by knowing and following the rules.

Tomorrow's Fishing Starts Today!

🐟🌊

28/08/2026

28/08/2026

🐟 Grey Mackerel stock confirmed sustainable in latest NT Fisheries assessment.

The latest Northwest Grey Mackerel stock assessment has confirmed the population is sustainable under current management arrangements.

The mature breeding population (spawning stock biomass) is estimated at 61% of unfished levels, exceeding the 48% target in the Offshore Net and Line Fishery Harvest Strategy. These results support maintaining the current Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) of 404 tonnes.

This assessment marks an important milestone as the first Northern Territory Grey Mackerel stock assessment to use the internationally recognised Stock Synthesis modelling platform providing greater confidence in fisheries management decisions.

By delivering robust science NT Fisheries is ensuring sustainable fisheries for future generations.

🔗 Read more: https://daf.nt.gov.au/fisheries/fisheries-management/management-arrangements-onlf

Tomorrow’s fishing starts TODAY!

🐟📊🔬

27/08/2026

Chasing Threadies? Get ready for a proper fight!

Whether it’s a Blue or a King, these fish are a favourite for NT fishos, fun on the line and a solid reward at the end.

Threadies are a great option when you’re fishing estuaries, coastal creeks or muddy water, making them a top alternative to reef fishing. From river mouths to tidal flats, they’re right at home in NT waters.

Mid water surface lures and prawn bait can work well for Blue Threadfin, and trolling and casting lures in shallow brackish waters can win you a King on a run-out tide.

Threadfin are top-tier eating with mild, moist, white, and firm flesh that breaks into large flakes. Try fillets dusted in flour, pan‑fried in butter until golden, then finished with lemon and a bit of salt- simple, fresh, perfect - or use it in your favourite curry recipe.

Strong fighters, top tucker and perfect for mixing things up. Chasing Threadies in the NT is fishing done right.

21/08/2026

Working together to protect Sea Country and support the Territory Lifestyle for all Territorians 🤝

NT Fisheries, through the newly developed Sea Country Partnership Program, are welcoming applications from Aboriginal organisations and Marine Ranger groups to partner in protecting Sea Country.

The Sea Country Partnership Program provides fee-for service opportunities that deliver on shared priorities including:

🐟 monitoring of fish stocks and fishing activities

🐟 community education and engagement

🐟 compliance support

Applications are now open and close 5 pm on Monday 31 August 2026.

For further information on how to apply visit: https://nt.gov.au/marine/sea-country-partnership-program

📸🎨 Caring for Sea country artwork created by Larrakia and Warramunga artist Rochelle Minberrignully Fejo-Taskerhttps://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1625986/NT-fisheries-Caring-for-sea-country.pdf

20/08/2026

🎣 Heading to the Northern Territory's Caravan, Camping & Outdoor Show ?

Make sure you stop by the NT Fisheries display! Meet our team, learn about recreational fishing in the Territory, pick up useful resources, and get the latest information on fishing rules, fish species, and aquatic biosecurity.

Come and have a chat. We'd love to see you there!

18/08/2026

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬!🔬You might need a boat to find Danilo Malara, Senior Research Scientist at NT Fisheries.

Born on the Mediterranean island of Sicily, Danilo grew up surrounded by stories of sea monsters, heroes and sirens. 🧜‍♀️
While other kids dreamed of becoming astronauts or football players, he became fascinated by the ocean and the creatures living beneath the waves.

Then, at 12 years old, he went scuba diving for the first time. 🤿

"That was it, I was hooked! Seeing the underwater world up close was like discovering another planet. From that moment, I knew I wanted to become a fisheries biologist." 🐠

Today, Danilo studies some of the Northern Territory's most iconic fish species and helps support healthy fisheries for future generations. His work includes recreational fishing surveys, fish biology and ecology, citizen science projects, and reef fish monitoring. No two days are the same.

"I might be analysing data, examining fish ear bones called otoliths, collecting DNA samples, chatting with fishers, or heading out on a boat to deploy underwater cameras."

Danilo is very excited by emerging technologies such as environmental DNA, genomics and artificial intelligence, which are helping scientists better understand fish populations and marine ecosystems. 🧬

For him, the best part of being a scientist is solving puzzles.

"Every fish sample, dataset and field trip provides another clue about how nature works."

His message this National Science Week: "Science turns curiosity into knowledge, and knowledge into better decisions for our future." 🌊

13/08/2026

Barramundi reform to deliver long-term benefits for Territorians.

The Northern Territory Government is progressing reform of the commercial Barramundi fishery, with work underway to ensure the process is fair and equitable.

This work is being delivered through two processes: fishery adjustment and fishery reform.

Fishery adjustment will focus on the proposed licence buyback, including valuation, structural impacts and budget considerations for affected commercial licence holders. An independent Fishery Adjustment Committee, comprising experts from across Australia, has been established to help refine the valuation methodology and oversee the buyback process. While specific adjustment and compensation matters remain commercial in confidence, updates are available at: https://nt.gov.au/marine/commercial-fishing/fishery-licenses/barramundi-fishery-and-licences

Following the buyback, fishery reform will focus on the future of the Barramundi fishery, including its objectives, access arrangements and management settings. Commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fishing sectors will continue to be engaged, and the broader community will have the opportunity to comment on any proposed future management plan before it is finalised.

Commercial Barramundi fishing using gill nets will cease from 30 September 2027. Until then, existing management arrangements remain in place. This change applies only to the current commercial Barramundi fishery and does not affect other fisheries, licence types or fishing sectors.