#NorthernTerritory (NT) waters make up the last global stronghold for endangered #sawfish and one of the world's rarest shark species, the #RiverShark. Four of the world's five sawfish species and two of the world's five river shark species call NT waters home.
Right now, sawfish and river sharks are not protected from commercial #gillnets in their #CriticalHabitat along the coastlines of major river systems in the NT.
Last year, three gillnet fishing areas were closed by concerned Traditional Owners because of the impact of #gillnetting has on their food security and culturally significant animals, including sawfish.
The commercial fishery's loss of access to these coastal waters means gillnetting is now being concentrated near the mouths of the #Daly and #Roper rivers at levels not seen in up to 10 years.