If you can make time this evening, you might want to grab the opportunity to attend the Amateur Fishermen’s Association NT AGM and learn about the NT's Future Fishing Plans.
AFANT is the peak body representing the NT's 60,000 recreational fishers, and this is the do-not-miss event of the year if you love fishing and want to be up to date on all the latest issues.
In addition to catching up on all of AFANT's work representing the NT's $270 million recreational fishing sector, there will be presentations on the new NT Recreational Fishing Development Plan and the NT barramundi fishery.
The event will be held at the Travelodge Darwin this evening, with registrations from 5:15pm for a 6:00pm start.
Everyone interested in recreational fishing is welcome: both members and non-members.
Light refreshments will be provided and great lucky door prizes will be on offer thanks to Fishing and Outdoor World and NAFA Magazine.
AFANT President Warren de With said: "We encourage anyone interested in the important issues impacting their fishing to come along to our AGM.
"With the new NT Recreational Fishing Development Plan just released, all eyes are on what initiatives will be green-lit first by the NT Government.
"Come along and find out about all the big issues,” Warren said.
AFANT CEO David Ciaravolo said: "It has been a big year, it's great to have the new Recreational Fishing Development Plan out, but now is the time for action, which is a major point you can expect to hear more about.
"Infrastructure, access and barramundi fishery management… these are big issues facing our sector.
"If people have a question about issues affecting their fishing, we'd love to have them come along; everyone is welcome,” David said.
Joel Bowden, who is the new Minister for Recreational Fisheries, for Infrastructure Planning and Logistics, for Tourism and Hospitality, and for Business and Jobs will be addressing the AFANT AGM.
“We’re very encouraged by the alignment of those portfolios,” David said.
“We’ve briefed the Minister on the key issues as we see them: the remaining infrastructure and projects under the recreational fishing futures fund, delivery of NT Recreational Fisheries Development Plan and the Management of the Barramundi Fishery.
“We are hopeful that the Minister will address these issues,” David said.
There will also be presentations from NT Fisheries on both the development plan and the barramundi fishery.
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Weather permitting, the tides are not too bad for some offshore bluewater action this weekend.
On both Saturday and Sunday, the tide turns twice at very reasonable daylight hours.
It means you can plan a trip in the morning or in the afternoon, or all day if it’s pleasant enough, and be able to vary your fishing options.
For example, if you headed out at daybreak on either Saturday or Sunday, you could fish across the high tide around 8-8.30am, maybe chasing some pelagics or bouncing jigs on one of the artificial reefs.
The same would apply for an afternoon session fishing across the low tide at about 3.00pm.
Mind you, if you had Million Dollar Fish on your mind, you could fish offshore in the morning then hit the harbour arms around midday for a barra fish well into the afternoon.
There’ll be plenty of options but, of course, it will all depend on the weather at this merry time of year.
Team Kurri Tackle’s Kimmie Mychas with one of her sailfish from the recent NT Billfish Classic.
This sailfish is about to be tagged for Team Bigfish’s Nat Ker in the NT Billfish Classic.
