The 10th season of the NT’s hugely successful Million Dollar Fish competition is off and running, with the chances better than ever of landing the life-changing ‘big one’.
Fishers will actually have 10 chances to reel in a million-dollar barramundi.
Organisers say 10 fish sporting million-dollar tags have been activated.
This includes one newly tagged fish for Season 10, while nine fish from Season 9 will be reactivated with $1 million tags.
When one of the 10 million-dollar barras is caught, the nine remaining fish revert to $10,000 tagged fish for the remainder of the season. Season 10 runs until March 31 next year.
An NT waterway is a stunning spot to search for a million dollar fish
Minister for Major Events Marie-Clare Boothby said the competition was an example how tourism can play a part in rebuilding the economy.
“The Territory is renowned for its fishing and barramundi, so bringing together thousands of people who share a passion for both significantly boosts the Top End’s economy and lifestyle,” Ms Boothby said. “The Top End is the only place in the country where you can go fishing and stand a chance to catch a million-dollar fish or one of the 99 $10,000 red-tagged barra released across the five main fishing regions – Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, and Arnhem Land.
Last year, 19-year-old Keegan Payne from Katherine caught the 67-centimetre million-dollar barramundi in the Katherine River. Keegan was the first person since the competition began to reel in a million-dollar fish.
Last year’s competition was said to be the biggest yet, generating a total expenditure stimulus in the Northern Territory of $91.8 million, of which $49.6 million was new money to the Territory. It recorded the highest number of registrations ever, with a total of 61,601. And it drew 9,602 visitors from interstate and overseas. Research found 96.2% of people who participated in Season 9 purchased products ranging from tackle to tours.
Registration to take part is free, and anglers must be over 18 and registered for Season 10 to claim any prize money.
Registering also puts fishers in the draw to win monthly giveaways, with almost $80,000 in prizes to be won, including a boat, fishing packs and flight vouchers.
For more information, click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win one of two double Gold Passes the spectacular Barrington Coast Airshow which will bring the skies over the NSW town of Taree to thrilling life on Saturday, November 9.
Each Double Gold Pass is worth $300
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Well..standing that close to a Top End waterway is not for me..or a million bucks..!!
I’m with you!
The last time we were up in the NT we saw an elderly guy standing in the shallows fishing right next to a crocodile warning sign.
His wife was sitting beside him in a camp chair knitting with her feet dangling in the water. LOL.
What an idiot with all the warnings he standing at the rivers edge. Doesn’t matter if you can’t see a crocodile, they are still there. He could end up being lunch!