NORTH WEST

High season:          JANUARY TO MARCH

Target species:       YELLOWFIN TUNA

By-catch:               BROADBILL / BIGEYE

Problem-catch:      SHARK

FISHING NOTES

Warm water currents flow from the Arafura Sea in the North-east on a year round basis. Laden with food and nutrients, it provides an attractive enviroment for Yellowfin Tuna, which are in evidence year round as a result.

Company vessels transitting the area have reported huge schools of Yellowfin Tuna throughout the North-west area.

Fishing is restricted to the 150-200 mile area as indicated. Fishing closer inshore is problamatic due to the high shark populations, and interaction with the large number of recreational fisherman targeting Marlin in the area.