AFANT - NT Recreational Fishing Peak Body

23/10/2026

🎣 What's happening with the dangerous navigation hazard at Buffalo Creek? What's behind the blue-green algae blooms around Darwin? And how can Territory fishers help shape the future of recreational fishing management?

AFANT's latest Member Update brings together important fishing news, safety advice and developments from across the NT, including invasive aquatic weeds, wet season croc safety and more!

Want the full story with all the links?

Join AFANT as a FREE Supporter Member right now and we'll instantly send the latest update straight to your inbox, with more fishing news and updates to follow.

🎣 It's free to join, and everyone with an interest in NT recreational fishing is welcome.

🔗 Sign up now to get the latest news delivered instantly!

https://afant.com.au/afant-supporter-membership/

23/10/2026

⚠️ BUFFALO CREEK NAVIGATION HAZARD – SAFETY ACTION UNDERWAY 🚤

Important news for fishers using Buffalo Creek boat ramp!

Following concerns raised by fishers about a dangerous old navigation pole in the Buffalo Creek channel, AFANT has continued to follow up with the NT Government to have the hazard addressed.

We've now received confirmation that a contractor has been engaged to install a temporary safety buoy on the pole today (23 October).

This is an interim safety measure while the Department finalises arrangements to have the pole removed.

🚤 In the meantime, please continue to take care when navigating the channel, particularly in low light.

AFANT thanks the Department for responding to these concerns and will continue to follow up until the hazard is removed.

Safer boating matters. Don't hesitate to let us know of issues on the water and we will do our best to follow up on your behalf. Please email any concerns or call our office.

Background: This matter was raised by us in May of 2026, and we have followed up seeking updates several times.

📷: Jamie Cooper

21/10/2026

Different targets. More fishing options?

Choosing to target different fish species is one way recreational fishers can help reduce pressure on vulnerable fish stocks. But what ideas and strategies could encourage more sustainable fishing practices, and potentially help keep more fishing options open?

That's the focus of a national research project led by the University of Western Australia and funded by the FRDC.

AFANT helped establish this as a national recreational fishing research priority in 2023 through our involvement with the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation.

Researchers are now seeking feedback from recreational fishers on different approaches to encourage voluntary changes in fishing practices.

Your views will help researchers, fisheries managers and organisations like AFANT understand which approaches could work best to support healthy fish stocks and maintain great fishing opportunities.

✅ Survey takes just 5–10 minutes.

🎁 Complete the survey for a chance to win one of three $50 gift vouchers!

👉 Have your say and complete the survey: https://social-marketing-griffith.link/AUrecfish?utm_source=10

21/10/2026

Join the recreational fishers cleaning up the coastline at East Point this weekend.

16/10/2026

ATTENTION FISHERS! Please not the temporary closure and follow all on-site instructions.

16/10/2026

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩! This Sunday is Gone Fishing Day! The day when all Australians are encouraged to wet a line and celebrate everything we love about recreational fishing!

To help celebrate AFANT has put together 3 Prize Packs... To be in the running to win all you have to do is:
- Go fishing in the NT on Gone Fishing Day (Sunday 18 October) >
- Share a photo to Facebook or Instagram >
- Tag or shout out AFANT - NT Recreational Fishing Peak Body and use the hashtag

You don't have to catch a big fish... any photo of you, your family or friends having fun fishing will put you in the running.

We have 3 Prize packs to including some great Reidy's AFANT lures, Zerek Lures, a Darwin Land Based Fishing Guide and some stickers.

15/10/2026

What's happening with the Golden Snapper Recovery Plan? When will the new Corroboree Billabong pontoon be installed? And what else should Territory rec fishers know?

AFANT's latest Member Update brings together important news and developments from across the NT, with links to all the details.

Want to stay informed?

Join AFANT as a FREE Supporter Member now and we'll send you the latest update straight to your inbox, with more fishing news and updates to follow.

🎣 It's free to join, and everyone with an interest in NT recreational fishing is welcome.

🔗 Sign-up now to get the news delivered instantly!
https://afant.com.au/afant-supporter-membership/

09/10/2026

🚧 CORROBOREE BILLABONG – PONTOON WORKS UPDATE

AFANT representatives visiting Corroboree Billabong had the opportunity to inspect construction works that are currently underway to prepare the bank for the installation of a new crocodile-safe passenger loading pontoon.

We had the chance to speak with the contractors, who advised that the initial site preparation is expected to take approximately another two weeks. This stage involves earthworks and installation of rock and concreting to prepare the bank for the new pontoon.

⚠️ Temporary access restrictions

While these works are underway, access to the bank usually used for passenger launch/retrieval will be restricted. Fishers and other users are being asked to use the boat ramp to load/unload passengers during this period.

Please take extra care when launching and retrieving boats, as the ramp and surrounding rocks can be slippery. Remember to BE CROCWISE! 🐊 Do not enter the fenced-off construction area or attempt to access the restricted bank while works are underway.

Works are expected to be carried out Monday to Friday, with construction activity stopping over the weekend.

🛥️ What happens next?

Once the bank preparation is complete, the next stage will be installation of the new pontoon. With the build-up already upon us, it would seem likely to us that this may occur after the wet season, early next year. TBC.

A few months back, AFANT had the opportunity to provide feedback on the pontoon design. We advocated for the need to ensure crocodile-safe infrastructure, with fenced edges and gates. While we are yet to see the final plans, we have been advised that our feedback has been incorporated into the design.

This project is an important safety and amenity upgrade for one of the Top End's most popular fishing and recreational boating destinations. We look forward to seeing the project progress to completion.

We remind fishers and other users to exercise patience while these works are being undertaken and encourage everyone to take care around the construction area and to follow on-site signage and instructions.

🎣 Stay safe, and tight lines!

28/09/2026

17/09/2026

Clean up by Blue Hearts MasterBait this Sunday. Get involved if you can!