The Defence Sportfishing Club Darwin

The Defence Sportfishing Club Darwin is a family orientated sportfishing organisation that caterers primarily for Defence members in the Darwin region. The Club welcomes all individuals that have a keen interest in sportfishing the pristine waters of the Northern Territory.

The Club was formed in 1987 after a small group of dedicated Defence Force fishing enthusiasts got together to promote and develop fishing within the Defence community. Membership numbers vary, depending on the Defence Force posting cycle, however the affiliated civilian and active Life Members maintain a stable membership. In 1998 the Club focused on the development of Junior Anglers and Family Participation. This shift in focus saw the Club affiliate with Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA). Club membership has always consisted of a mixture of personnel from Navy, Army and Air Force. It was for this reason, that in 1999 the Club named changed to reflect its tri-service membership.

The Club currently utilises facilities at the Long Tan Club, Larrakeyah Barracks as Clubrooms. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month commencing at 19.00 hours. These meetings incorporate tackle nights and presentations covering a wide variety of interesting topics designed to encourage and develop the angler's awareness, increase their knowledge and maximise their enjoyment. Monthly fishing competitions are conducted which culminate in a weighin and barbecue on the afternoon of the competition. The Club contests a number of annual trophies throughout the year along with annual events for juniors, novices and families.

The Club produces a monthly newsletter, "The Berley Rag", which is distributed throughout the Darwin Defence community and also produces a regular articles for the Defence publication "The Top Ender". Articles also appear in the fishing publication "Fish and Boat" and the ANSA National magazine "Australian Sportfisher".

The Club actively promotes family participation in all activities and places great emphasis on the development of junior anglers. We actively promote the Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA) ethos of "Sport, Conservation and Integrity". Club Members are committed to the Australian National Sportfishing Association Sportfish Tagging Program - AUSTAG and contribute to the program through the Northern Territory TOPTAG program.