The NT Government has ruled that a $10,000 barramundi caught in a restricted fishing area by a man without the proper permits was “illegitimate”, but refused to explain what it intends to do about it.

The NT Independent first revealed that NT Major Events was investigating the legality of the catch that was part of the Million Dollar Fish competition last month after the fish was caught on the Little Finniss River – an area that is a restricted fishing zone under an Aboriginal tidal water agreement.

Questions were raised when the corporation limited who could comment on its Facebook post announcing the catch in December, after people raised concerns that the fish was illegally caught.

On Monday, the corporation issued a statement that confirmed the $10,000 fish was caught in a restricted zone by a man who did not have the proper permits to fish in the area.

“The decision was reached following direction from InfoFish Australia (the independent agency that manages the tagging and verification process),” the statement from Major Events said.

“Investigations and consultation with stakeholders, including the Northern Land Council, showed the … fish was caught in a restricted area and the angler did not have an official permit to fish that area at the time of recapture. The competition’s terms and conditions state participants must obtain the necessary permits and licenses if accessing Aboriginal Land or tidal waters overlying Aboriginal Land for fishing purposes.”

But the corporation failed to mention what sort of penalty, if any, the man who caught the fish would now face or what happens to the prize money.

The government also made no mention in the statement of the $1000 donation that is made to a local charity with each $10,000 fish caught. It also remains unclear if Shoreline will get to keep its money.

The government said the fish was initially released in the Dundee region in an unrestricted fishing zone.

“No further comment will be made on this matter,” the statement said.