The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on its commitment to reform the Barramundi fishery within its first term of government.
The Government has formed the Barramundi Fishery Adjustment Committee, which includes independent experts to oversee the buy-out of commercial barramundi fishery licences.
The committee has already reached a milestone, having commenced engagement with affected licence holders on the buy-back process.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on its commitment to reform the Barramundi fishery within its first term of government.
A Barramundi Fishery Adjustment Committee has been established. It includes independent experts in fishery adjustment processes and will oversee the buy-back scheme for commercial Barramundi licences.
The committee has already met a key milestone, with consultation for the Barramundi Fishery Adjustment Scheme underway with licence holders provided a proposed license buy-back formula for feedback.
Minister Maley said the formation of the committee and commencement of consultation were major steps in delivering on the Government's commitment to phase out gillnets in the commercial Barramundi Fishery following the 2027 season.
"Consultation is key in ensuring the buy-backs are well managed and successful, to ensure robust communication at every step, and licence holders understand the process," Minister Maley said.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries CEO Amelia Vellar reflected on the progress as a first step and reinforced the importance of facilitating a fair and evidence-based adjustment scheme that delivers within the established timeframe.
"We recognise that change of this scale is not easy, and we are committed to working closely with licence holders to ensure the buy-back process is fair and well managed."
"Importantly, this is just the first phase. We will continue to engage with all sectors to design a modern management framework that delivers long-term benefits for all Territorians," Mrs Vellar said.
Following the buy-back process, the reform of the Barramundi Fishery will focus on developing a modern management framework to deliver long-term community benefit and best use of the resource, including future objectives, access arrangements and management settings.
The Department is progressing alternative gear trials to inform whether any future commercial Barramundi access could be supported, without pre-empting future locations, gear types or licence arrangements.
The removal of gill nets applies only to the current commercial Barramundi Fishery and will not affect other fisheries, licence types or sectors.
Public information and updates on the Barramundi fishery reform are available at nt.gov.au/marine
