You will need to apply for an off-shore net and line licence, if you intend to commercially fish using offshore nets or lines. There is no restriction on the amount of licences issued, but you must apply for a new licence. Existing licences cannot be bought or sold.
You can fish in all Northern Territory waters from the low water mark to the boundary of the Australian Fishing Zone (ASZ), about 200 nautical miles offshore. Black-tip sharks and grey mackerel are the primary species taken in off-shore net and line fishing.Other shark species caught are hammerhead, bull, tiger, pigeye, lemon and winghead sharks and dusky whalers.
You must use demersal or pelagic long lines or pelagic nets. Bottom-set gillnets are prohibited.
Please contact the department for further information on restrictions around fishing gear and where it can be used.
