The six rangers are in Darwin to take part in a workshop to strengthen their skills. One is from Groote Eylandt, one from the Tiwi Islands, one from Nhulunbuy, one from Borroloola and two from Daly River.

Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles, said the new Fisheries Inspector roles recognise the desire of Aboriginal Territorians to manage their country and help protect the Territory’s fish and aquatic resources.

“The  Government is creating opportunities across the NT, including investing in the future of our remote regions,” Mr Vowles said.

“The new Fisheries Inspectors were all Land and Sea Rangers who have been endorsed by their Aboriginal organisations to become Fisheries Inspectors.

“They have passed the Fisheries Inspector fit and proper person guidelines and have completed Certificate II and III courses in Fisheries Compliance run by NT Fisheries and the NT Water Police.

“These are nationally accredited courses and this training means they now have the skills and power to monitor recreational and commercial fishing activity in their sea country, to ensure fishers are complying with the NT Fisheries Act.”

The Fisheries Inspectors have recently started in their roles and have improved the quality of patrol reports from remote areas. Such information could help with successful fisheries-related prosecutions, increasing the effectiveness of the fisheries compliance program.

“The Fisheries Inspectors help with compliance in relation to issues such as bag limits, a lack of identification on crab pots, people breaching closed areas and the possession of undersized fish or crabs,” Mr Vowles said.

“These roles protect our fish stocks, help Aboriginal Territorians manage their country and provide career progression opportunities for rangers in remote regions.”