Catch and Release - Black Jewfish, NOT SO TOUGH.

Post-mortem examinations were conducted on over 100 black jewfish caught at various depths. The examinations revealed these fish are highly susceptible to barotrauma when landed from depths
greater than 10 metres.

Almost half of the fish landed from 10–15 metres had lifethreatening injuries and were considered unlikely to survive. This increased to 100% of fish at depths over 15 metres. If you have reached the possession limit for black jewfish and are fishing waters deeper than 10 metres, we recommend that you target other species. [Download]

NT Barramundi Farming Handbook

This booklet represents the third revision of the NT Barramundi Farming Handbook. The first edition appeared in 1993 and the second revision was completed in 1996.

In the last ten years there have been some dramatic improvements in the way barramundi have been produced in the Northern Territory. The establishment of a large sea cage farm by Marine Harvest in 2001 was a pivotal point in the development of the local industry. Marine Harvest entered into an agreement with the NT Government for the supply of juvenile stock for their farm. This saw the establishment of an industrial scale fish nursery at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre (DAC) and the start of a period of rapid improvement in the way fish were produced. [Download]

Northern Territory Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research and Development 2007-2011

The Northern Territory Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research and Development 2004-2008 was originally developed in 1999 and is revised biennially. The 2007-2011  Northern Territory Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research and Development is now available.  [Download in Word or PDF]

Preliminary Research Proposal Application Form are now available [Download (word)] 

Fisheries have produced a handbook describing the Indigenous Marine Ranger program. Click here [PDF 2 MB] to download the handbook and learn about the great partnership and work being done to help protect our waters.

Fishnote on Freshwater Fishkills

Territorians are often astounded by the number of dead fish that appear in billabongs and wetlands, especially during the build-up and wet season of most years. Such fish kills are nearly always natural events, and are usually related to a low amount of oxygen in the water. Fish kills are a common occurrence in Top End freshwater systems and in the tropics generally. [Download]

Recirculating Marine Aquaculture Systems

Between July 19 and August 11, 2006, Damon Gore and Glenn Schipp from the Darwin Aquaculture Centre undertook a study tour to investigate the latest developments and trends in recirculating aquaculture. The trip was jointly funded by the Department of Science, Education and Training, administered by the International Specialised Skills Institute, and the Northern Territory Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources. Their findings are available in this comprehensive report.[Download PDF 5.5 MB]

Fishery Status Reports

The 2006 Report provides detailed information on the NT’s wild harvest fisheries, the aquaculture industry, recreational and fishing tourism sectors, indigenous fishing activities and aquatic pest management. It also provides an overview of the types and numbers of licences issued for the 2006 calendar year. Individual reports include information on the ecological sustainability of each fishery as specified under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

[Download Reports]

Discussion Paper Review of the Fisheries Act 1988 ( February 2006)

Since its introduction in 1988, the Fisheries Act has yet to be comprehensively reviewed to determine the adequacy or effectiveness of provisions contained, or whether such provisions remain relevant or appropriate.
To ensure that the Territory’s fisheries legislation remains relevant, Fisheries within RDPIFR is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Fisheries Act. The importance of the Act is that it provides the head of power to prescribed subordinate legislation such as the Fisheries Regulations 1993 and individual fisheries management plans, which together assist in the day-to-day management of the NT’s aquatic resources.

It is anticipated that an outcome of the review process will be the preparation of a new Fisheries Bill for consideration by Government. [More]

Farming the Future – 2010

Farming the Future – 2010 identifies issues of strategic importance that may impact on continued industry growth and outlines the actions that need to be taken to ensure that growth targets are met and the industry remains profitable. A number of new objectives have been added into the plan. These include: promoting well managed aquaculture is environmentally sustainable and that there are significant social and economic benefits that may accrue from the development of appropriate aquaculture technology for Indigenous communities. [Download]

Sea Cucumber Ranching Discussion Paper

This discussion paper has been prepared to encourage involvement in the development of policy for the ranching of sea cucumbers in the Northern Territory. Sea cucumber ranching can involve the augmentation of the existing fishery, or the creation of a new extensive aquaculture industry where areas of sea bed are leased for the purpose of growing hatchery produced sea cucumbers. Most states have, or are the process of developing ranching policies for the various jurisdictions. This discussion paper has been based on a similar discussion paper from Western Australia (Borg, 2003). [Download]

Fish Kill Investigation Manual

Every year Territorians are astounded by the number of dead fish that appear in billabongs during the build-up. Theories as to what causes these fish deaths range from man-made dams to poison leaking out of the soil. However in almost every case, fish kills within the Mary River wetlands have been natural occurrences. [Download]

Indigenous Marine Rangers

Managing both terrestrial and marine estates and their precious resources is an important aspect of traditional life in the Northern Territory’s mainland and island communities. Many Indigenous coastal Territorians adhere to ancient practices of sustainably harvesting marine species.

The Northern Territory Indigenous Marine Ranger Program is built on cultural foundations dating back 60,000 years or more. It harnesses the deep-seated desire of Australia’s Top End coastal traditional owners to lead the way in protecting and managing the ocean, rivers, tributaries and tidal floodplains surrounding their homelands. [Download]