Fisheries NT

11/06/2026

Dr Samantha Nowland is a Senior Aquaculture Scientist for Fisheries NT and has been leading Aquaculture research at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre.

⭐️Dr Nowland was recently acknowledged for her valuable contributions to the Women In Seafood Australasia - WISA Turn the Tide Program. Women In Seafood Australasia - WISA Turn the Tide program was awarded the Peoples Development Award at the Northern Territory Seafood Council Industry Awards.

Congratulations Dr Samantha Nowland on being recognised for your leadership and dedication to the Territory’s seafood sector.

This morning, His Honour was pleased to receive Ms Jane Cowan, Executive Director of Women In Seafood Australasia - WISA and Dr Samantha Nowland, Senior Aquaculture Scientist at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre and NT Director of WISA following their recent success at the 2026 Northern Territory Seafood Council Industry Awards

WISA was recognised with the People Development Award for its Turn the Tide program, which supports and empowers women working across Australia's seafood industry.

His Honour congratulated Dr Nowland on her leadership and dedication to creating opportunities for women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. As a Senior Aquaculture Scientist leading the Blacklip Rock Oyster Project, a major native aquaculture initiative across Northern Australia, Dr Nowland continues to drive innovation while helping shape the future of the Territory's seafood sector.

A new working mum wearing many hats, Dr Nowland is having a real crack and leading by example, proving that leadership, science, and family life can go hand in hand.

His Honour commended WISA for its commitment to professional development, mentorship and inclusion, and congratulated the entire team for paving the way for future generations of Territory women to thrive and grow within the seafood industry.

27/05/2026

What happens when Territorians eat two serves of seafood a week?

Lots of great benefits:

🐟10% lower risk of cardiovascular events

🍤 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease

🦪 26% lower risk of depression

🦀 30% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Support your health by catching or buying local, fresh, high quality NT Seafood.

To find seafood recipes and be informed on some new research about the health benefits of eating seafood visit 👉https://www.facebook.com/FRDCAustralia

22/05/2026

Come and chat to us this weekend at the Litchfield Rural Show formerly Freds Pass Rural Show 🎣

20/05/2026

Fisheries Officers conducted joint patrols and engagement in the Nhulunbuy region and the surrounding Indigenous Protection Areas.

The trip coincided with the running of the Goodline Ladies Fishing Tournament where Fisheries Officers took the opportunity to speak at the briefing evening.

We commend the stewardship of the organising committee in their approach to reduce the targeting of priority species that are prone to barotrauma. Vulnerable species such as Golden Snapper and Black Jewfish scored 150 points per fish regardless of size, preventing the practice of “high grading” for more points.

⭐️ Well done to the committee and the Nhulunbuy Regional Sports Fishing Club⭐️

18/05/2026

Don't Dump your Fish info packs are available at your local and regional pet fish traders!

The Fisheries NT Aquatic Biosecurity team have been visiting pet shops, aquarium stores and ornamental aquaculture licence holders and have left information bundles for their customers.

Exotic species are a risk to our aquatic environments through predation, competition for food and habitat, and the introduction of disease and parasites.

Fisheries NT remind all pond owners to screen outlets or overflow points to prevent fish and plants from escaping into our waterways.

Visit your local pet shop and receive your reminder to ‘Don’t Dump Your Fish’

If you spot something fishy, or need advice about screening ponds outlets, report to the 24/7 FISHWATCH HOTLINE 📱1800 891 136.

11/05/2026

Stocking of local water ways with Barra just got easier and safer, thanks to staff at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) and their new flash transporting trailer.

5000 10cm long Barra fingerlings took the maiden voyage to Manton Dam, were released safely, straight into the lilies to hide and protect themselves.

The recent rains have brought a lot of water and nutrients into the dam, increasing productivity and food for the stocked fingerlings.

Due to no natural recruitment into Manton dam, DAC has been stocking Manton Dam since 2004 so Fishers can enjoy hooking a stocked Barra. 🎣

Stocking occurs at Manton Dam, Palmerston Lakes, McMinns Lagoon, Rum Jungle Lake and other areas throughout the year.

To help inform the stocking program, DAC in partnership with Amateur Fishermen's Association NT (AFANT) , releases tagged barramundi, and fishers are encouraged to report any tagged fish caught: https://afant.com.au/rec-fisher-research/report-a-tagged-fish/

06/05/2026

Golden Snapper Recovery Have Your Say public consultation has now closed.

NT Fisheries would like to thank everyone who had their say and who came to speak to us at our information days for helping to shape how we look after Golden Snapper for future generations.

A summary of what we heard will be shared once all submissions have been considered.

Your feedback will guide Fisheries on the next steps, and we’ll keep you updated as the process continues over the coming months.

06/05/2026

Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) staff have been working alongside Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji, Pacific-Community-SPC and University of the Sunshine Coast as part of the ACIAR-funded oyster and seaweed mariculture project 👉https://www.aciar.gov.au/project/fis-2022-147

The DAC team are investigating ways to support gender-inclusive mariculture enterprises in Fiji and tropical northern Australia that will assist families to diversify their diets and increase household income through addressing a range of technical, social and market consideration.

Women at the heart of rock oyster and seaweed mariculture: Pathways to sustainable livelihoods in Fiji and Northern Australia article can be found here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/yeyhp49f

The full bulletin can be viewed here: https://fame.spc.int/publications/bulletins/womeninfisheries/43

This project aims to support emerging oyster and seaweed farming livelihoods in Fiji and tropical northern Australia by addressing technical, social, and market considerations.

30/04/2026

Fisheries Officers from the Fisheries Compliance Unit were out patrolling over the Easter long weekend.

The car parks were chockers and there were heaps of you out enjoying the weather and some great fishing.

Officers inspected several boat ramps and popular fishing spots, interacting with over 330 fishers out enjoying their long weekend.

Fisheries Officers were pleased to see that a vast majority of people doing the right thing, catching all they need for a feed and complying with Fisheries rules and regulations.

Officers applaud those doing their part to help maintain sustainable fisheries.

Stay up to date on rules and regulations here 👉 https://nt.gov.au/_media/docs/boating,-fishing-and-marine/recreational-fishing/know-your-limits-booklet.pdf

If you see any suspicious fishing activities this long weekend, report it via FISHWATCH 📱1800 891 136