THE INDUSTRY

Sustainability

All fisheries are sustainably managed under the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
A Code of Conduct (397KB PDF) for the NT seafood industry has been developed and the Northern Territory Seafood Council has developed 10 Codes of Practice for NT wildcatch fishery operators. It has also developed broader Environmental Management Systems.
Guidelines have been produced for interactions with protected species, including crocodiles (598KB PDF), turtles (8.83MB PDF), dugong (391KB PDF) and sawfish (260KB PDF).
There are no fisheries which are described as overfished in the Northern Territory.

Over $1.4 billion is invested in licences, vessels and equipment operated in waters adjacent to the Northern Territory, land based support structures and aquaculture ventures.
Over 650 businesses are directly involved in the professional seafood industry, many having come from interstate to re-establish in the Northern Territory.
A very significant number of businesses such as chandlers, mechanics, boat yards, electricians, refrigeration specialists, carpenters, welders and other service providers are also dependent on a healthy seafood industry for their continuing viability.
Presently there are approximately 330 registered commercial vessels in the industry.

Some 1450 people are employed in the professional seafood industry and approximately $90 million is paid in wages each year.
During the past three years, in excess of 1100 people have been formally trained in the Northern Territory to obtain qualifications that are used in the in the professional seafood industry.

The vast majority of Territorians rely on the professional seafood industry for their local seafood supplies.
Northern Territory product also sells on markets around Australia.
Export markets include North America, Europe and Asia.

Barramundi Fishery
- Barramundi
- King Threadfin

Coastal Line Fishery
- Black Jewfish
- Golden Snapper

Coastal Net Fishery
- Mullet
- Blue Salmon
- Queen Fish

Demersal Fishery
- Goldband Snapper
- Crimson Snapper
- Saddletail Snapper

Finfish Fishery
- Saddletail Snappers
- Crimson Snappers

Mud Crab Fishery
- Mud Crab

Offshore Net and Line
- Blacktip Shark
- Grey Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel Fishery
- Spanish Mackerel

Timor Reef Fishery
- Goldband Snapper
- Saddletail Snapper
- Crimson Snapper

Trepang Fishery
- Sandfish (Sea Cucumber)

Aquaculture
- Barramundi
- Mud Crab
- Trepang
- Pearl Culture

Code Fishery Type Party Count License Count

A1 Coastal Line Fishery 50 54

A2 Coastal Net Fishery 5 5

A4 Spanish Mackerel Fishery 14 16

A5 Offshore Net & Line Fishery 15 17

A6 Demersal Fishery 36 60

A7 Barramundi Fishery 20 20

A8 Mud Crab Fishery 40 49

A9 Mollusc Fishery 1 1

A10 Pearling 5 6

A12 Aquarium Fish Display 11 11

A13 Trepang Fishery 1 6

A16 Finfish Trawl 1 1

A18 Timor Reef Fishery 11 12

C1 Aquaculture 11 11

B1 Trader Processors 36 36