The Finocchiaro Government has formed a committee to oversee the buy-back of commercial barramundi fishing licences, with the industry welcoming the independent body but calling for alternative fishing methods so locally caught wild barramundi can continue to be sold in restaurants.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Gerard Maley said the Barramundi Fishery Adjustment Committee, which includes independent experts, has already begun engaging with the 14 commercial barramundi fishery licence holders regarding the buy-back process.

The government will ban gillnets in the commercial barramundi fishery at the end of the 2027 season in September, but gillnets are the only method commercial fishers can use to catch the fish under NT legislation.

Mr Maley said the end of gillnets would lead to a major transformation of the wild barramundi sector, with a focus on achieving sustainable, long-term benefits for the community and the environment.

“Consultation is key in ensuring the buy-backs are well managed and successful, to ensure robust communication at every step, and licence holders understand the process,” Mr Maley said.

He said the department was progressing alternative gear trials to determine whether commercial barramundi fishing could continue in the future.

Northern Territory Seafood Council chief executive officer Daniel Capps said his organisation welcomed the independent body but wanted realistic alternatives for commercial wild-caught barramundi so it could continue to be served in restaurants.

“An independent body is the only manner in which a sensitive matter like this can be adjudicated,” Mr Capps said.

“And while we welcome the process, the public is becoming aware that after September next year there will be no more wild-caught barramundi or king threadfin on the menus of Darwin establishments.

“The government has made the decision to effectively end the commercial harvest of barramundi and threadfin. What is the government going to do to ensure they are back on the menu sooner or later?”

Agriculture and Fisheries Department CEO Amelia Vellar said that after the completion of the buy-back process, the reform of the barramundi fishery would aim to establish a contemporary management framework that ensured long-term benefits for the community, including setting future goals, access arrangements and management parameters.

She said there was a need for a buy-back scheme that was both fair and evidence-based and that was implemented within the designated timeline.

“We recognise that change of this scale is not easy, and we are committed to working closely with licence holders to ensure the buy-back process is fair and well managed,” Ms Vellar said.

“Importantly, this is just the first phase. We will continue to engage with all sectors to design a modern management framework that delivers long-term benefits for all Territorians.”

Public information and updates regarding the reform of the barramundi fishery can be found at the department’s website.