The banana prawn season in the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) starts on 1 April 2019. Pre-season briefings, will be run next week by the NPF Industry Pty Ltd (NPFI) and all active operators and fleet managers are invited to attend.
To ensure all fishers have the opportunity to attend there will be sessions in Darwin, Cairns and Karumba.
Pre-season briefings timetable
Date | Location | Time |
24 March 2019 | NT Seafood Council Darwin Shipstores Building Fisherman’s Wharf Darwin NT | 9:30am |
25 March 2019 | Austral Fisheries Shed 4/53 Dutton Street Portsmouth Cairns QLD | 9:30am |
27 March 2019 | Raptis Office Massey Drive Karumba QLD | 4pm |
The pre-season briefing provides operators and fleet managers with an opportunity to talk to representatives from the NPFI, AFMA Fisheries Officers, and CSIRO scientists, about the upcoming season.
The NPFI will discuss the historic catch rates, bycatch mitigation, and gear changes for the season. Scientists from CSIRO will provide an update on the latest research for the fishery.
AFMA Fisheries Officers will provide an update on the changes to the NPF Directions , vessel monitoring system requirements, and logbook and reporting obligations.
Fisheries Officers will inspect NPF vessels and provide advice on mandatory turtle exclusion devices and bycatch reduction devices.
The NPF is one of Australia’s most valuable fisheries and knowing and following the rules and regulations will ensure the future sustainability of the fishery.
