Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss

Tourist Scores A Ripper Catch On Australia Day

Victor P Taffa

Sixth prize fish of Season 4 of the Million Dollar Fish competition was landed at the Daly River Mango Farm by Queensland tourist Mark Iseppi on Australia Day netting him a cool $10,000 in the process.

“Million Dollar Fish competition has helped boost the Northern Territory’s reputation as one of the best places in the world to fish so it’s great to welcome a tourist onto the list of winners. Obviously, Territorians have many more opportunities to land a prize fish, so it’s terrific when a visitor to the Northern Territory has such good luck.” Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss said.

With Territory anglers claiming all the prizes to date, Mark Iseppi is the first tourist to pull in a winner on his line.

“We came to the Northern Territory because we love fishing during the wet. When we saw the Million Dollar Fish tag, we were pretty excited.” Mr. Mark Iseppi said.

Mark landed the biggest catch so far with a whopping 86 cm red-tagged barra at Daly River Mango Farm where he’s been fishing for 4 weeks while on an extended fishing holiday with his family.

With the all-important verification photos and emails sent, Mark and his family are yet to decide how they will spend their $10,000 windfall.

Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss congratulated Mark on being the first tourist to reel in a prize-tagged fish, the sixth of the record 125 fish available this season.

“I encourage all anglers to come to the Territory, try their hand at catching the Million Dollar Fish and enjoy our unique tourism experiences while they’re here.” Minister Moss said.

Million Dollar Fish competition is a tourism initiative designed to lure more visitors to the Territory during the tropical summer and boost the Northern Territory’s reputation as the best place in the world to stay, play and fish.

“Tagged barra have been released right across the Top End, with the charity fish all in really accessible locations. We want anglers to catch them all!” BetEasy Strategic Partnership Manager Brad Fanning said.

As at September 2018, an estimated 46,000 interstate fishers have come the Top End over the last 2 years, an increase of 6,000 on previous years.

Season 4 of the Million Dollar Fish competition was launched on 1 October 2018 and runs until the end of March 2019.

Just by registering for the competition, anglers are eligible to win the prize-tagged $10,000 or $1 Million fish, and will also be in the running to win a swag of fantastic prizes as part of the Million Dollar Fish prize pool.