Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-op has a new venture

Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative’s latest venture allows people to visit the Geraldton Fisherman’s Wharf as a boat comes in to unload its catch, watch fish being filleted and buy them within minutes along with live lobsters.

GFC general manager Leith Teakle said the new shop Brolos Fresh next to Barnacles was the next stage in the co-op’s strategy to stimulate tourism in Geraldton and the Fisherman’s Wharf.

“We really want people to be able to come down to Fishing Boat Harbour and spend half a day engulfing themselves in the fishing industry in Geraldton,” he said.

“We bought Barnacles nearly two years ago and this is the next piece of the vision.

“We’ve got funding for a memorial for the pioneers of fishing in the district, we’ve also got some funding for a shuttle bus to be able to safely transport people around the Fishing Boat Harbour.”

Mr Teakle said the GFC wanted to find synergies with other Geraldton businesses so as to help each other and help the tourism industry and the wider community.

He said the effects of COVID-19 on the export market to China had kept the price of crayfish down.

“There’s always been lobster available but the price is now I think at a point where it is more achievable and attractive for local consumers,” he said.

Known as WA’s largest rock lobster exporter, Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative has supplied crayfish for 70 years under its Brolos brand name.

It was started by Geraldton fishermen and is still primarily owned by owners of fishing licenses. “We’ve got 240 shareholding members and 150 active boats fishing at the moment,” Mr Teakle said.

“Some of those fishermen also have what’s called a wet lines licence meaning they are also going to be able to supply us with the fresh fish for Brolos Fresh.”