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A red emperor caught in Fog Bay near Darwin with Des Puddey's Dundee Bluewater Charters

Matt Flynn's Northern Territory
fishing report: June 12, 2005

Also available in the Darwin Sunday
newspaper, Sunday Territorian


The Amateur Fishermen's Association NT (AFANT) has summarised the Labor and Liberal fishing policies for the forthcoming Territory election next week.

AFANT executive officer Chris Makepeace said: "Prior to the announcement of the 2005 Territory election, AFANT provided
both major parties with a consolidated list of initiatives we wanted to see in their policies for the next term of government in the NT. "

Here are the responses to AFANT's requests. The full summary of the texts are available at www.afant.com.au

AFANT initiative 1: The closure of Bynoe Harbour to all forms of wild-harvest commercial fishing, including commercial mud crab fishing. This does not include low-impact, ecologically-sustainable aquaculture developments.
ALP Response: We recognise Bynoe Harbour's importance to Territorian anglers. That's why a formal planning process will be a priority and will cover all waters in Bynoe Harbour. A steering group - with AFANT as a founding member - will be appointed to determine the key issues to be resolved such as the balance between recreational and commercial fishing.
CLP Response: Will close Bynoe Harbour to wild harvest commercial fishing including commercial mud crabbing but excluding sustainable aquaculture.

AFANT initiative 2: The closure of the Finniss River to all forms of wild-harvest commercial fishing including commercial mud crab fishing. This closure will involve the removal of the 7" net commercial barramundi fishery from the river and moving the current 6" net closure line seaward to keep the small bay at the Finniss River mouth free from nets.
ALP Response: We will continue buybacks of commercial fishing licences, with a guarantee of $1 million for this task. We've started on a 5-year plan/10-year vision so that our barramundi fishing will get better. Closing the Finniss River to commercial barramundi fishing will be considered as part of this plan - once commercial fishing licences have been bought back. We will buy back at least three more barramundi licences over the next five years.
CLP Response: Agreed to close the Finniss River to wild harvest commercial fishing including commercial mud crabbing but excluding ecologically sustainable aquaculture.

AFANT initiative 3: The total closure of the 7" net barra fishery which currently allows the use of 7" gill nets a considerable distance up rivers such as the Victoria, Fitzmaurice, Finniss, Wildman, East Alligator (Coopers Creek), Towns, Limmen Bight, Lousy Creek, Wearyan, Robinson and Calvert Rivers.
ALP Response: We've started on a 5-year plan/10-year vision and the total closure of the 7" net barra fishery will be considered as part of this plan.
CLP Response: Agreed to waterway closures where appropriate; and reviewing capture methods, net sizes and effort location.

AFANT initiative 4:. Adjustment of closure lines on rivers already closed to commercial barra fishing so that the closures achieve the intended outcome of protecting the barramundi stocks of those rivers from commercial netting. In particular, this means significant expansion of no-netting zones at the mouths of the Daly, Adelaide, Mary and Roper Rivers.
ALP Response: Requests for changes to closure lines will be considered through the allocation forum - the Aquatic Resource User Groups Forum.
CLP Response: Agreed to waterway closures where appropriate; and reviewing capture methods, net sizes and effort location.

AFANT initiative 5:. A reduction of at least 10 licences in the commercial barra fishery with appropriate compensation for licence owners. Changes to the commercial barra fishery proposed in points one to four require the removal of considerable effort from the NT barra fishery. In addition, some closures already put in place were not accompanied by the removal of appropriate levels of commercial effort and so some "catch up" also necessary.
ALP Response: At least $1 million will be available to expand opportunities for recreational anglers through further licence buy backs. It's a guarantee and fully costed. The priorities for commercial licence buybacks will continue to be determined through the allocation forum - the Aquatic Resource User Groups Forum (also known as ARUG). Priorities will be established for buying back commercial fishing licences to set aside areas for recreational fishing - Bynoe Harbour is sure to be a high priority.
CLP Response: Agree to a five-year plan to buy back at least 10 barramundi licences; waterway closures where appropriate; and reviewing capture methods, net sizes and effort location.

AFANT initiative 6: An appropriate mechanism to ensure dispersal of commercial barramundi fishing effort and, in particular, avoiding concentration of effort in areas likely to be heavily accessed by recreational fishers. We are seeking to eliminate high levels of localised commercial fishing effort threatening sustainability of some fisheries and to minimise instances where commercial and recreational fishers are competing for the same fish resources.
ALP Response: The priorities for commercial licence buybacks will continue to be determined through the allocation forum - the Aquatic Resource User Groups Forum. Priorities will be established for buying
back commercial fishing licences to set aside areas for recreational fishing.
CLP Response: Agree to waterway closures where apropriate; and reviewing capture methods, net sizes and effort location.

AFANT initiative 7: Removal of the recreational barra fishing seasonal closures on the Daly and Mary Rivers. Maintaining these closures simply means that there is more concentrated recreational fishing effort in other areas close to Darwin in the early run-off period. Some special management measures may need to be put in place for these two areas but continuation of complete closures can not be justified.
ALP Response: Continuation of recreational arrangements, including Daly and Mary River seasonal closures, are part of the review of the Barramundi Fishery Management Plan. AFANT is a member of the review group.
CLP Response: Agreed to waterway closures where appropriate; and reviewing capture methods, net sizes and effort location.

AFANT initiative 8: A firm and unequivocal commitment to eliminate all polluted run-off from the Mount Todd Gold Mine site prior to the next wet season. AFANT recognises that any program to rehabilitate the Mount Todd site will be both costly and time consuming - if the site can ever be fully rehabilitated.
ALP Response: We acknowledge the problems at Mt Todd - problems we inherited, and problems we intend to fix. Labor is firm and unequivocal in its commitment to clean up the abandoned Mt Todd mine site. More than $1 million will be spent this dry season to begin the rehabilitation process at Mt Todd. Work will start on the priorities identified by AFANT and other stakeholders. We have engaged an independent expert on rehabilitation options for the long-term clean up of the site and also appointed AFANT to the Mt Todd Rehabilitation Reference Group.

AFANT initiative 9: The establishment of mechanisms whereby recreational anglers are able to access more fishing areas from Aboriginal lands and pastoral leases. For Aboriginal lands, these arrangements may include permit systems similar to
the Tiwi Islands. The lack of application of the access provisions of the Pastoral Lands Act has meant that no access has been granted as a result of that Act. The Northern Territory Parks and Conservation Masterplan talks at length about "joint management arrangements" and government should be urgently seeking such opportunities with Aboriginal landowners and pastoral leaseholders.
ALP Response: The Martin Labor Government will continue to deliver on better access for anglers. We're doubling access - anglers will be able to launch near the Peron Islands and at Point Stuart. We will continue to open up even more areas to recreational fishing - that's why we established the Fishing Access Working Group. Work on access to the King Creek and Katherine River junction has already started.
CLP Response: Agree to work with the Commonwealth, land owners and recreational fishermen to achieve greater access for recreational fishing in coastal waters and waterways including ongoing access in any future proposed marine parks and marine protected areas. Also will seek opportunities as they arise to maximise access with local landholders such as formal access to the King River Junction, new access points to the Mary River Wetlands, the Victoria River and the Daly River.

AFANT initiative 10: The closure of the Northern Territory Coastal Net Fishery through the buy back of all 14 coastal net licences and the reclassification and reallocation of these licenses to remote Aboriginal community groups for the purpose of small-scale fishing for local consumption. AFANT understands that only six of the 14 licences are currently active in the fishery and the commercial value of the fishery is very low, estimated at $84 000 in 2003.
ALP Response: We guarantee at least $1 million for buying commercial fishing licences to make recreational fishing better - inshore commercial netting licences will be a priority. Removing coastal nets from Darwin Harbour and Shoal Bay will be a priority. Additional areas will then be considered. In acquiring coastal net fishing licences, we will review the Indigenous community fishing licence arrangements that currently allow small-scale fishing for local consumption.
CLP Response: Agreed to investigate the sustainability of the coastal net fishery, in consultation with all stakeholders and initiate a buyback of these licences and reallocation to Aboriginal community groups for local consumption purposes where appropriate.

AFANT initiative 11: Appropriate budget resources to the Fisheries Group to provide for a significantly increased emphasis on research and development in the recreational fishery in general and the recreational barra fishery in particular. Funding also needs to be provided to continue the process of five-yearly recreational fishing surveys in the NT along the lines of the National Recreational Fishing Survey conducted in 2000.
ALP Response: We have committed $900,000 each year to support recreational fishing activities within the Fisheries Group. This funding includes ongoing support for a dedicated recreational fishing unit to promote the interests of anglers. We need to continue the national five-year study on recreational fishing patterns -
States and Territories are considering the details and will push for its consideration by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
CLP Response: Agreed to increase resources for research and development, including the continuation of the five-year survey for recreational fishing and research and development in the recreational barramundi fishery in particular. Will also reinstate Primary Industries and Fisheries as a separate government department.

AFANT initiative 12: Provide additional budget resources to expand the Police Marine Fisheries Enforcement Unit so it can effectively police fisheries regulations in both the commercial and recreational fisheries in the NT.
AFANT believes that an additional six officers should be appointed to the Unit by mid-2006.
ALP Response: Labor will ensure police have the resources they need.
There's also been a $1 million boost to extend police water patrol capabilities to combat illegal fishing and enhance search and rescue capabilities.
CLP Response: Agreed to ensure the Marine Fisheries Enforcement Unit is adequately resourced to provide a very visible presence on our waterways. Also agreed that in the first instance we will trial a police presence stationed at the Daly River for a period of three months.

AFANT initiative 13: Title to Corroboree and Hardies Billabongs and surrounding land must be secured both in terms of public ownership and public access. Roads must become public roads and they must be urgently upgraded. In the longer term, the entire Mary River wetlands and lower Mary River catchment needs to be phased into public ownership.
ALP Response: Access to Corroboree - from the Arnhem Highway up to and including the carpark is already a public road. Access to Hardies Billabong is by way of a formal agreement which will continue. The fishing access working group will continue to work on the priorities identified by recreational anglers - including Corroboree and Hardies Billabong.
CLP Response: Agree to work with the Commonwealth, land owners and recreational fishermen to achieve greater access for recreational fishing. Also will seek opportunities as they arise to maximise access with local landholders.

AFANT initiative 14: No new barrages should be allowed in the Mary River wetlands or the Adelaide River wetlands unless they are absolutely necessary to inhibit saltwater intrusion and then only if they are designed to allow reasonable fish passage and they will not result in high-level fish kills. Over the next ten years, existing barrages need to be removed or modified to meet these same requirements.
ALP Response: Methods have been developed to control saltwater intrusion and allow access for fish through these structures. Barrages will only be implemented where they are absolutely necessary to inhibit saltwater intrusion and every effort will be made to facilitate the passage of fish.
CLP Response: Agree that existing and any new barrages that are required to inhibit saltwater intrusion are modified to allow reasonable fish passage.

AFANT initiative 15:. Increase the number of artificial reefs in the Darwin area and seek opportunities to extend the program to other regions.
ALP Response: Will continue to create new fishing opportunities. $2 million has been allocated over four years for better fishing facilities such as artificial reefs, boat ramps and camping areas, and we continue to ask anglers to identify the priorities because they know best.
CLP Response: Agree to increase the number of artificial reefs around the Territory coastline.

AFANT initiative 16: Re-establish recreational fishing access to waters on Wollogorang Station by seeking to establish a joint management agreement between the leaseholder and the NT Government (Parks and Wildlife, DIPE). The current leaseholder is not opposed to recreational fishers having access providing he doesn't have to meet the costs and manage the process without help.
ALP Response: The Fishing Working Group will consider all options including re-establishing access on Wollogorang Station.
CLP Response: Agree to work with the Commonwealth, land owners and recreational fishermen to achieve greater access for recreational fishing.

AFANT initiative 17: Establish a contingency fund for recreational fishing access so government can take advantage of access opportunities that need to be dealt with quickly like those that have arisen as a result of the Marrakai Station lease being offered for sale. Such a fund would allow the government to act without having the major delays that are associated with accessing funds outside the normal budget process and cycle.
ALP Response: Priorities for recreational fishing access will be identified by the Fishing Access Working Group. Government has already demonstrated that it can improve access for anglers - coastal access is being doubled.
CLP Response: Purchases of this nature will be carried out swiftly as required from consolidated revenue with Cabinet approval. Past purchases have included Pine Hill Station, Owen Springs Station, Nathan River Station, Wildman River Station and Annaburroo Station.

AFANT initiative 18: Establishment of Marine Parks and Marine Protected Areas in waters around the Northern Territory may prohibit recreational fishing in various ways. Processes that look to be heading in this direction are the development of the Northern Territory Parks and Conservation Masterplan being undertaken by the current NT Government and the Integrated National Oceans Management Plan for the Northern Planning Area (Goulburn Island east to the tip of Cape York) being developed by the National Oceans Office of the Commonwealth Government. AFANT would expect any Northern Territory government to reject all such proposals covering waters under its control unless there is clear and irrefutable scientific evidence that a real and current threat to marine species exists and that the restriction or closure is the only way to remove the threat.
ALP Response: Labor is committed to ensuring that the needs of Territorians are protected with regard to any proposed marine parks or MPA's that affect the Northern Territory's waters. With regard to the MPA proposed by the Federal Government and any subsequent MPA planning process, be assured that a Labor government will only agree if the Territory's economic and social issues are recognised and appropriately considered. This includes the needs of recreational fishers.
CLP Response: Agreed to work with the Commonwealth, land owners and recreational fishermen to achieve greater access for recreational fishing in coastal waters and waterways including ongoing access in any future proposed marine parks and marine protected areas.

Additional ALP commitments
· We will continue to create new fishing opportunities by stocking barra in dams and impoundments.
· $2 million has been allocated for better fishing facilities such as boat ramps, parks, artificial reefs and camping areas, and we continue to ask anglers to identify the priorities because they know best.
· $2.8 million will be spent on a new ramp at Hudson Creek in Darwin Harbour.
· Pontoon for Dinah Beach - with its recent upgrade, the Dinah Beach boat ramp has become popular. A further $150 000 has been allocated for a pontoon to assist anglers to launch and retrieve their boats.
· Palmerston Boat Ramp - the Palmerston City Council has already been funded to connect power and complete a concept plan for the future needs at the site.
· The rock wall protecting the Nightcliff boat ramp will be improved - tenders for this work have been received. Boat launching facilities at Mule Creek and Rocky Creek (near Borroloola) are being upgraded, and a new ramp is being built on the Victoria River. Point Stuart Road will be upgraded as part of the process of opening up fishing at Point Stuart.
· Fog Bay Rd will be upgraded and progressively sealed to improve access to Dundee Beach. Improving the road to Shady Camp is also underway.
· We need to continue the national five-year study on recreational fishing patterns - States and Territories are still considering the details of the survey and we will push for its consideration by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) shortly.

Additional CLP commitments
· Continue to ensure the Territory remains the pre-eminent recreational fishing destination in Australia.
·Continue the program of upgrading and providing greater security at boat ramps across the Territory and the construction of a further 10 boat ramps in consultation with AFANT and stakeholders.
· Construct a land-based fishing platform alongside the existing boat ramp at Palmerston including shade, railings, bins and fish cleaning tables. We will also provide lighting to the Car Park and facilitate a kiosk to operate from the site.
· Introduce a code of practice for recreational fishing in the Northern Territory and will initiate a communication strategy to raise awareness and educate the public on recreational fishing issues.
· In consultation with the AFANT, to assist conservation, we will review the bag limit for recreational fishermen for various species, including the black jewfish.
· Under a CLP government there will be no recreational fishing licences and no boat registration.
· Introduce a 50 per cent fee reduction on boat trailer registration.
· Continue the barramundi fingerling stocking program at selected sites, such as Manton Dam and closed river systems.

*****
Given the huge importance of the Daly River to recreational fishing in the Territory, AFANT also asked both the major parties to provide a brief statement of their position.

The ALP's Policy on the Daly River
The Martin Labor Government will continue to act decisively in managing the Daly - no dams and no cotton.
No new subdivisions for mixed farming - the land clearing moratorium implemented by Labor will continue until 2007, until there is adequate scientific data available to better inform future decisions.
The highest standards for water and land monitoring will be applied to the Daly. Funding of $3.5 million will enable enhanced monitoring of water quality and water flows, new licensing arrangements and better compliance.
The Water Act will be completely overhauled to meet world's best practice.

The CLP's Policy on the Daly River
The CLP recognizes the value and importance of protecting the waterways and rivers of the Northern Territory against environmental degradation and to this end an Independent Environment Protection Commission, headed by an Independent Environment Commissioner will be set up immediately on coming to government.
The commission will be charged with evaluating any future development in the Territory including any future proposals in the Katherine-Daly River catchments.
Cotton growing will not be allowed in this region under a CLP and while managed development will be allowed to occur, it will only proceed under strict, legislated clearing and subdivision controls.
The CLP will install state-of-the-art permanent monitoring
stations in the Katherine-Daly catchments and initiate an intensive long-term program to record, benchmark and research the ongoing state of these iconic river systems to ensure that any changes to the quality, flows and integrity are noted for action.
This information will be important in the development of a source to sea integrated Management Plan for the Katherine-Daly, which the CLP will initiate in partnership with all stakeholders, including AFANT.

****

Matt Flynn's comment

If you are voting for recreational fishing, you are faced with a tough choice at this Territory election.

Labor's Martin Government has progressed steadily in its first term of office, closing the McArthur and Adelaide Rivers to barramundi netting, and gaining public access to launch and camping sites at Channel Point near the Peron Islands, as well as Point Stuart below Shady Camp, both of which are expected to be opened soon.

Labor has also upgraded the important Dinah Beach boat ramp in Darwin, and expanded the Top End's barramundi stocking program.

There has also been progress with boat ramps down Borroloola way, where Queenslanders visit in droves.

The CLP however has hit Labor with a body blow for this election by promising to buy back at least 10 barramundi net licences, as well as all coastal net (non-barramundi) licences.

Labor has pledged $1 million to buy back two or three barra net licences over the next term.

The coastal net fishery - which AFANT says earned only $84,000 in 2003 - takes sportfish such as salmon and queenfish that are probably worth more to the NT as sportfish for the benefit of tour guides' customers and other NT visitors.

The CLP has also unequivocally stated it will close Bynoe Harbour and the Finniss River to all commercial fishing.

Labor says it may close Bynoe Harbour and the Finniss River after consultation.

Labor has said the CLP's promises have not been costed and therefore may not be affordable. However Labor is willing to spend $5.2m to upgrade Lake Leanyer park, therefore money would appear to be available - it is just a matter of priorities. And of course, priorities differ.

On Labor's side, the Martin Government seems more determined to protect the Daly River catchment from agricultural "development" than the CLP. The Daly River is the Top End's barramundi icon - if it were damaged, the Top End's status among Australia's fishermen would be forever tarnished.

Labor is also keen on consultation - an important aspect of a good democracy - but consultation can sometimes mean procrastination.

NT Seafood Industry Council chairman Ziko Ilic said he had no comment on either party's fishing policies.

"We would like to establish a five or 10-year management plan for the Top End's seafood resources involving all the stakeholders,'' he said.
     

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