The third $10,000 red-tagged barra of Million Dollar Fish Season 9 has been caught just five weeks into the season. The season runs from 1 October 2023 until 31 March 2024. Loren Hanton from Stuart Park was night fishing at stunning Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park on 31 October. She couldn't believe it when the 63cm beauty grabbed her lure.
Underwritten by SportsBet, Million Dollar Fish sees prize-tagged barramundi released in waterways across the Darwin, Kakadu, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions. This season someone is guaranteed to win a million dollars.
Loren, who was fishing with her partner, wasn't having much luck. She was considering calling it a night when she reeled in a 70cm barra. Filled with renewed enthusiasm, she kept on casting, then landed her $10,000 prize.
Every time a fisho catches a $10,000 barra, they can donate an extra $1,000 to the Million Dollar Fish charity of their choice. Loren chose Shoreline. The program began on the Tiwi Islands and provides education and employment opportunities for young Indigenous people.
Loren's catch means there are now 97 $10,000 barramundi waiting to be caught, plus 11 barra carrying tags worth a million dollars. That includes the two released for Season 9, and those released for previous seasons. All are still eligible to be caught.
To claim any prize money from a tagged fish, a fisho must be registered for Season 9. This also automatically enters them into the Lucky Prize Pool, which includes thousands of dollars' worth of prizes up for grabs, such as holiday and flight packages, and fishing and camping gear. Register now for free at [http://www.milliondollarfish.com.au].
Quotes from Chief Minister and Minister for Major Events, Natasha Fyles:
"Just five weeks in and we are on fish number three. Kakadu is a jewel in the Territory's tourism crown, and Million Dollar Fish is a gem when it comes to delivering for Territorians.
"Season 8 generated a total expenditure stimulus of $70.8 million, of which $23.6 million, or 33.3 per cent, was new money to the Top End region. This is great news for our economy, and especially for businesses that service the competition. They range from fishing stores and servos to fishing tour operators, hotels and boat hire companies.
"With news the million will go off this season, all eyes are on the Territory as people hit our waterways keen to snag this life-changing catch."
Quotes from the Member for Arafura, Manuel Brown:
"Yay! Finally a fish caught in my electorate! Kakadu is a Territory beauty, with great fishing. Congratulations to Loren for finding a $10,000 fish.
"It is also great that Shoreline, which began on the Tiwi Islands, and provides training opportunities will be a recipient of this too, with receiving a donation for more water skills training for Indigenous students."
Quotes from SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors:
"SportsBet is excited to be giving away another $10,000 to a lucky fisho! Every time we give away $10,000 it feels like we are getting closer to giving away the million, which is guaranteed this season.
"So make sure you're registered, and get out there on the water as much as possible to increase your chances of becoming a millionaire!"
Quotes from Shoreline Managing Director Jason Ryan:
"We are absolutely delighted to be nominated as the recipient charity for the recent red-tagged barramundi.
"The donation will go directly towards creating opportunities for young First Nations students in the NT to develop their skills on water and obtain marine certifications.
"We are excited to see more tagged barramundi caught and a lucky fisho snag the million-dollar prize!"
Quotes from Loren Hanton:
"I'd had no luck on the water, even though my partner had caught four fish, so I was thinking of leaving. Then I pulled in a 70cm barra, which totally changed things!
"My next catch was the red-tagged barra, and when I saw that red tag I started screaming. I couldn't believe it. I've registered for Million Dollar Fish every season and am a regular fisho born and bred in the Territory.
"I can't believe I've finally caught my own red-tagged barra. I will 100 per cent keep on fishing to try my luck at catching another."
Northern Territory Government
