January 10, 2008 on 8:04 am | In Fishing Report | No Comments
Commercial fishing ban for Darwin Harbour
Darwin Harbour will be off limits to commercial coastal net fishing from next month.
From February 1 operators who breach the edict will be fined $20,000.
About one-quarter of all recreational fishing is done at Darwin Harbour and Shoal Bay.
Territory Fisheries Minister Chris Natt says the policy will improve the quality of fish for anglers.
The ban has been made possible by a $1 million buyback of nine commercial net licences.
The Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory wants the ban extended to Bynoe Harbour and the Finniss River.
