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General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on July 03, 2013, 10:27:35 AM
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Malak Malak Ranger group starts patrols on the Daly River
[ 02/07/2013 ]
Media Release
NT - Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
1st July, 2013
Recently established under the new access agreement between the Malak Malak Traditional Owners, the Northern Land Council and the Territory Government, the Malak Malak ranger group have started patrols.
The rangers are working closely with the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries' Indigenous Development Unit, Australian Customs and NT Water Police section.
The ranger group commenced training in 2012 and now has six active participants. They are involved in numerous training and education exercises from learning to maintain and operate boats safely, to gaining a certificate II in fisheries compliance.
As part of the rangers' ongoing training, patrols of the river were conducted with Fisheries and NT police officers to identify any potential breaches of recreational fishing regulations. Particular focus was given to the use of non-compliant and improperly marked cherabin pots.
A total of 32 non-compliant or abandoned pots were seized over a 2 day period. The exercise was used by the rangers, fisheries and police to engage with recreational fishers and assist with the continued education on issues relating to cherabin pot markings, compliant pots and possession limits for the Daly River Management Zone.
Executive Director of NT Fisheries, Ian Curnow, said fishers are reminded that pots must have a minimum mesh size of 15mm when stretched and must be clearly marked with the user's first and last name on a visible float no less than 80mm in length or diameter.
"Abandoned pots have the ability to continue fishing when unbaited, much like a ghost net does in the ocean and the public are asked to make every effort to retrieve their pots once they are finished fishing.
"It is great to see the enthusiasm and dedication that is being displayed by the Malak Malak ranger group already, and it is clearly evident that they are very committed to the programme," Mr Curnow said.
The Malak Malak rangers and Traditional Owners welcomed the efforts and assistance of the police and NT Fisheries. This effort has helped to highlight the presence of the Malak Malak Rangers on the river and advance their profile in partnership with the NT Government.