Report injured marine animals, fish kills, ghost nets

You should report any injured marine animals, fish kills, ghost nets, or illegal fishing when you fish recreationally in the Northern Territory (NT).

Report injured marine life

Report injured marine life such as turtles, dugongs, dolphins or other large animals to Parks and Wildlife.

Report fish kills

You may see a few or even hundreds of dead fish floating on the water or washed up on the banks.

These are called fish kills.

Fish kills can occur at any time, but are most common at the start of the Wet Season.

Fish kills can be caused by a natural lack of oxygen in the water during this period.

Chemical spills can also cause fish kills.

If you find a fish kill you should:

  • take pictures if possible
  • record when and where you saw it
  • note GPS coordinates if possible.

You can report a fish kill by phoning the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 891 136 or emailing aquaticbiosecurity@nt.gov.au.

You can also use the NT Fishing Mate app to report a fish kill.

Report a ghost net

A ghost net is an abandoned or discarded fishing net that drifts in the ocean and entangles marine life.

It may harbour exotic pests or diseases and pose threats to boaters.

If you find a ghost net you should:

  • take pictures if possible
  • record when and where you saw it
  • note GPS coordinates if possible.

You can report a ghost net by phoning the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 891 136 or using the NT Fishing Mate app.


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