There is a million dollar barra out there
Somewhere swimming around in the Northern Territory is a catch of a lifetime, a tagged barramundi with a million-dollar prize, as part of the second season of Million Dollar Fish competition aimed to lure anglers and promote tourism in the Top End.
Registrations have opened for the competition which starts on 1 October, when 101 barramundi will be tagged and released at fishing locations across the Northern Territory.
One will carry a million-dollar prize tag and the other 100 fish will be worth $10,000 each if caught.
The competition is one of Australia’s richest fishing competition, with an extra $160,000 of bonus prizes which will also be awarded.
Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism, Adam Giles, said the second season would build on the success of last year, which attracted more than 43,000 registrations from 62 countries including 25,800 people from interstate and 14,600 Territorians.
During the last competition, ten prize-tagged barramundi worth $10,000 each were caught in Darwin Harbour, Daly River, Corroborree Billabong and Bynoe Harbour.
The competition also generated national and international media coverage worth more than $22 million.
“There’s no doubt the Northern Territory is home to some of the best fishing in the world and everyone wants to catch an iconic Northern Territory barramundi,” Giles said.
“The Million Dollar Fish competition is timed to influence travel to the Top End during our low season from October to February,” Giles added, noting last year’s competition generated spin-off benefits for local businesses, with marine dealers reporting a boom in outboard motor servicing, servos selling more fuel and tackle shops and fishing tour operators reporting increases in business.
“Season Two will have a strong focus to encourage anglers to stay, play and fish in our regions like Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Katherine which all offer incredible fishing.”
Need some insider tips on hooking the big one? There are special “Insider Tips” videos featuring well-known Northern Territory fishing identity, Alex Julius, that have been created to give competitors the best chance of catching a tagged barra.
Giles thanked major sponsor CrownBet for continuing to support the Northern Territory and providing cash prizes for Season Two.
The additional bonus prizes for Season Two include five HelloWorld holidays to five different regions in the Northern Territory flying Qantas, a Jayco Camper Trailer worth fridges, Shimano and BCF Fishing Tackle, JMGilles Classic Lures, Accor Hotels for Le Club points, Qantas flights, XXXX GOLD cartons and a fishing charter.
The bonus sponsor prizes will be drawn monthly from July 2016 to February 2017.
Registrations are open from today online at milliondollarfish.com.au
Cricket legend Matthew Hayden joined the launch of Season Two in Darwin today and will again return as the competition’s official ambassador.
“I can’t wait to get out on the water with some mates and turn our next NT fishing trip up a notch,” Hayden said.
Tourism NT has worked with stakeholders including the Amateur Fishermen’s Association NT to ensure the competition complies with sustainable fishing and best-practice tag and release.
The competition will run from 1 October 2016 to 28 February 2017 and participants must register online at www.milliondollarfish.com.au to compete.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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I think Matt Hayden had to fight off the crocs on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu for the barra! Judging by the size of the crocs and the barra when I was out on Yellow Water Cruises last month, there’s no shortage of great fishing out there. This is the absolute perfect time to come to Kakadu and if you stay at Cooinda in the new Flash Camp tents, you can use the camp kitchen to cook up your barramundi, though I left the barra to the crocs and just ordered a barra fillet and chips at the Barra Bar & Restaurant. They cooked it beautifully.