Australian fisherman wins A$1 million after catching red-tagged barramundi
Matthew Maurice became the second person in 12 years to claim the top prize in the Million Dollar Fish competition.
Matthew Maurice, a 26-year-old fisherman from Darwin, won A$1 million on Thursday after catching a red-tagged barramundi in the Northern Territory. According to the Times of India, the catch occurred at Corroboree Billabong while Maurice was fishing with his younger brother.
The barramundi measured just over 80cm. Maurice, a regular participant in the Million Dollar Fish competition, noticed the bright red tag on the fish after it jumped out of the water. He noted that the tag carried the words "Season 12."
Maurice said the experience was surreal and described the moments after spotting the tag as the most stressful two minutes of his life. He stated that he felt like he was in a dream and expressed a desire to make sensible decisions with the prize money, including buying a house and clearing outstanding payments.
The Million Dollar Fish competition was introduced to encourage tourists and recreational fishers to visit the Northern Territory. This season featured one fish worth A$1 million and 100 others worth A$10,000 each. Maurice is only the second person to win the top prize in the 12-year history of the contest, following Keegan Payne in April 2024.
The Northern Territory government reported that the competition has awarded more than A$2.47 million in prize money since its inception. Maurice's win will also result in an A$10,000 donation to the official charity partner, Surf Life Saving NT.
While the million-dollar fish has been caught, 96 tagged barramundi worth A$10,000 each remain available. The current season is scheduled to continue until March 31, 2027.