Fishing slider - The Sanctuary

The business of Top End fishing

The Northern Territory’s Top End is arguably Australia’s premium recreational fishing destination. It makes a significant economic contribution to the estimated $80 million generated each year of the Territory’s whole recreational fishing industry.

Couple fishing in Top End waters

The Sanctuary is well positioned to become the region’s hub of recreational fishing.

Catch and Release

Fishing NT catch and release policy

60%

of fish caught in the Territory are released back into the wild. A strong endorsement of the Catch-and-Release policy.

1 in 5 Territorians

Tourism opportunities – boat ramps and fishing access for the Marrakai region

1 in 5 Top End residents goes fishing

Recreational fishing tours, Top End region

The coastal mouths of the region’s river systems offer spectacular blue water fishing for golden snapper, black jewfish and the mighty GT’s!

Fishing the Top End region

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Public boat ramps in the waterways near The Sanctuary.

Fishing the Top End region

90% of fishers are male

Days fished stats

Recreational fishing tours, Top End and Mary River region

Days Fished with Fishing Tour Operators in the Top End, 2008-2011

Fishing tour operators client days fished (2008-2011)

Types of fish stats

Recreational fishing, Top End region

Fish species caught in Mary River and Alligator Rivers

Types of fish species caught in Mary/Alligator Rivers