This series tells stories behind Australian wild catch fishers - it showcases how fishers care for the environment, the important contribution to regional communities through employment and creating economic value as well as the innovative and sustainable practices.

Australia’s commercial wild catch sector faces many challenges, including reduced access to marine waters due to an increasing number of users, a lack of protection from policies and legislation and misconceptions about wildcatch fishers. Without sufficient support, wildcatch fisheries will struggle to continue to contribute to local economies and provide sustainable and fresh seafood.  

That’s why FRDC invested in a digital campaign that captures the stories of commercial fishers through project 2022-209 Digital campaign: Innovation, sustainability, labour retention in Western Australian inshore fisheries – national video stories investment.   

“The stories from Western Australia to South Australia and Queensland, capture the personal and family side of Australia’s wildcatch fisheries, including their passion for fresh, sustainable and local seafood,” said Kylie Dunstan, FRDC’s General Manager Stakeholder Engagement.  

“The videos give a face and voice to Australian seafood producers who range from small innovative in-shore producers to large, sophisticated offshore fleets – they all care deeply about the marine environment and the seafood they produce. The videos provide an opportunity to share their stories, challenges, hopes and dreams for the future.” 

Innovation and sustainability are key 

Innovation is one of the main themes captured in the videos. This includes innovation in new markets, and fishing techniques and technologies, developed by the current and next generation, Australian fishers.  

‘I think being a fisherman and a primary producer, you are always thinking about better ways to do things,’ said Bryn Westerberg from Western Australia’s Albany Seafoods. ‘I think the sky’s the limit really with innovation. I mean, every week there seems to be some new technology coming out that can help things.’ 

‘As we filmed these stories, I noticed how central innovation was to the wild catch fishers,’ said Mr Michael Neil-Smith, Creative Director at Anvil Media Pty Ltd. ‘It was a real eye-opener.’ 

Having a sustainable fishery is also front of mind. Gavin Jackman from Out There Fishing explains, ‘Us fisherman, we’re custodians of the water you know… it’s in our best interest to look after the smaller fish, go back and return them to the water because that’s our future’.  

From gaining independent sustainability certification to managing catch quotas, wildcatch fishers embrace sustainability as a core value. ‘We are fishing sustainably, and this industry is a sustainable and well-managed industry,’ said Therese Murphy from the Queensland-based Australian Ocean King Prawn Company. 

Enhancing diversity and employment opportunities 

The video stories also capture how the sector is changing, offering different and diverse roles and employment opportunities.  

‘Nowadays, there’s more and more women in the seafood industry,’ said Angela Barnes from Barnes Seafood in South Australia. ‘It’s not all about the men out at sea. It’s not all about being out on the boat. There’s other pathways you can take, and it’s fantastic to see that’. 

The films highlight the employment opportunities the sector offers to the younger generation, with increasing roles in management, distribution, packing, marketing and supply. These jobs support local economies and communities. 

Raising awareness of the value of wild harvesting 

Sharing these seafood stories raises awareness of how innovation and sustainability are central to Australia’s wild harvesters. The stories also help change perceptions of the people, products and companies involved. This builds community, trust and respect, as well as highlighting the sector's great value to Australia. 

“I think the videos break pre-conceived notions of the industry and the type of people who are fishers. They provide a window into how diverse the industry is, including the diverse roles and employment opportunities, the varying size of companies, and the sorts of people who work in the industry and love it,” said filmmaker Michael. 

“The videos represent a great cross-section of the industry, with stories from small businesses, tourism operators, restaurateurs, local suppliers, family-run businesses, distributors and international large businesses across South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland,” said Kylie.  

“The people we met were incredibly genuine. They were good people doing good work. FRDC is grateful for the contributions of everyone featured in the films.” 

Take a deep dive into the suite of videos here.  

Related Project 

2022-209: Digital campaign: Innovation, sustainability, labour retention in Western Australian inshore fisheries – national vide stories investment