Member Update

Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative's online meetings allow Members to engage with their management team regularly. A summary of the most recent meeting is provided below.

Update from Marc Anderson;

• Marc provided a summary of the recent trip to Canberra, leading the lobster industry delegation to discuss continued market access challenges with key government officials and ministerial offices, including the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Fisheries portfolios and the Prime Minister's Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Marc stated that while no immediate change to market access was achieved from the visit, the delegation was impressed with the level of discourse from the numerous meetings and the bi-partisan commitment to see the fresh lobster trade restored to China;

• Following Glen Davidson's appointment to GM of Export Operations, this created a vacancy for the GM of Supply Chain Operations. Marc was pleased to share with Members that Michael May, GM of Shared Services, has been successfully appointed to the role. Michael brings extensive experience in varied industries, including mining services, risk and safety. Michael and his family have a long and continuing connection to the Western rock lobster fishery. 
• Right to disconnect legislation: Marc shared that the recent Right to Disconnect legislation is now in effect. GFC is working to understand the impact on our workforce, particularly around their engagement with Members. More information on this will be shared in future meetings.
• Seafood Directions conference: Marc shared a recap of the Seafood Directions conference in Hobart. Along with a great roster of industry experts, networking opportunities and keynote speakers, Marc participated in a few CEO discussion panels. Marc commented it was great to see a strong contingent from WA, with some members and the Council attending.
• Marc spoke about the recent member tour to Southeast Asia and encouraged Members to register their interest in future trips when they're announced. See the below article for a full summary.
• Upcoming Annual General Meeting and Board nominations; Marc encouraged members to submit their board nominations ahead of the 27th of September deadline.
• Marc also provided a summary of a recent Senate enquiry submission GFC made regarding the proposed wind farm located near Geographe Bay. While not opposed to wind farms, Marc said that this area is an established fishing ground that could affect some of GFC's Southern members. Therefore, it's imperative that GFC advocates on behalf of fishers' access and that potential interruptions to migratory or breeding patterns of rock lobster due to wind farms are carefully investigated and considered.  

Update from Leith Teakle;

• Leith gave a summary of the announcement to cease boatyard operations in Geraldton on the 30th of June 2025. GFC has examined the operation's ongoing viability beyond the end of the current lease, taking into account the long-term plans for the harbour development, but has been unable to identify a viable, cost-effective alternative. GFC has notified all Members and customers of the boatyard last month and held an informal Q&A session for Northern Members following the announcement.
• Leith summarised some improvements made to the Member App, which were predominantly related to forward ordering and cancellation of bait requests. Members will also notice the bait availability list is more dynamic as it has been upgraded to reflect the real-time movement of bait products and stock availability. We continue to develop and refine the Member App to ensure it's easy to use and provides value to both your operations and the Co-operative's. If you have any suggestions for future improvements, please get in touch. 
• Leith showed viewers a sample of the new, improved statement summary that is scheduled to be rolled out in the next fortnight. While the financial statement remains essentially unchanged, the summary statement provides additional information fishers have requested, such as loyalty payment summaries, distribution summaries, share status, catch split allocation and more on a season-to-date basis. 
• Leith summarised the ACBC conference in Canberra, which Basil and Leith both contributed to the event program. The summary can be found below.
• Leith invited Members to get in touch if they are interested in attending the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutual (BCCM) Taste Of Australia Dinner on October 22nd at the Ritz-Carlton. As a sponsor, GFC has some tables included in the sponsorship package and will make them available to Members and staff. To register your interest please click here.
• The GFC Member Ladies Lunch is returning for 2024, with lunch in Geraldton on October 17th and in Fremantle on October 24th. If you are interested in attending but haven't RSVP, you can do so here. If you want more information, please get in touch here. 

Market Update from Bryan Keay;

• Bryan shared with Members that market demand during the Mid-autumn festival had been good. With some external factors affecting supply (such as poor weather in South Australia and the full moon), higher prices were being enjoyed for longer. The Golden Week period starts on the 1st of October, so prices are expected to remain above forecasts if supply constraints persist. Prices are expected to come under pressure following Golden Week, with the Mexican rock lobster season beginning the following week. Bryan noted that the primary catching size is B grade from Mexico, and it's the smaller grades that are likely to see a larger swing in prices. 
• The intake for the season-to-date is line ball with catch statistics from last season, and the average beach price is just under $40/kg (excluding top-up payments). Bryan noted this average beach price is slightly higher compared to last season, which is pleasing.
• Bryan's estimate for this season's loyalty period based on current data is around $3/kg, which is the upper end of the band GFC has been targeting. A final loyalty amount for this quarter will be announced shortly.
• Bryan shared an image of the Seafood Expo Asia directory, which notes that GFC is the only Australian seafood producer in attendance. He took the opportunity to thank the Members who participated in the tour and spoke to customers and other exhibitors at the expo.

The next Member online meeting is scheduled for the 18th of October. The meeting link will be sent to Members via email before the meeting.

Member Tour of Southeast Asia Highlights

Earlier this month, around 30 Members met at GFC's Welshpool facility to participate in a lobster pack out destined for Vietnam before heading to the airport for a Southeast Asian market tour.

The tour was designed to give Members a taste of one of the world's most traded food categories beyond their own or GFC's operations. Highlights of the trip included visiting GFC customers in Ho Chi Minh City to see the lobster shipment fishers helped pack in Welshpool arrive at a customer's facility. 
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with a Vietnam importer before a special dinner was held in the Member's honour.

The group travelled from Vietnam to Singapore to attend the Seafood Expo Asia, one of the largest dedicated seafood shows in Asia. The brand advocacy continued as Members dined at a local customer's restaurant that was running a Brolos lobster menu promotion.

Members also travelled from Singapore to Malaysia to visit local customers and markets before returning to Singapore for a day of rest before the flight home.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make this tour insightful and memorable. A big thanks to the GFC team, who worked behind the scenes and throughout the tour to ensure everything ran smoothly. We look forward to sharing our next market tour plans with you.

Australia-China Networking Event, Canberra.

GFC supported and attended the recent Australia-China Business Council (ACBC) networking day in Canberra. The event brought together government officials, industry and business leaders, and China experts.

This event and the work of the ACBC are integral parts of GFC's continued efforts to advocate for our members and the Australian seafood industry. The workshops and networking provided valuable opportunities for senior GFC staff to meet with senior government leaders and industry experts.

Following the focus sessions and workshops at Parliament House, a gala dinner was held, with Member's Brolos lobster as the highlight of the menu.

Health and Safety Policy Update.

GFC is pleased to advise that we have updated our Health & Safety Policy to better align with WA WorkSafe WorkPlan requirements and ISO 45001 standards for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

These revisions are crucial for ensuring our ongoing commitment to workplace safety and compliance. 

View this policy on our website.

Change to Setose Lobster Catch.

Starting from 1 November 2024, the commercial take of setose western rock lobster will now be allowed year-round.

This decision, advised by the Western Rock Lobster Council, is supported by the current high levels of breeding stock, ensuring sustainability is not compromised. An Exemption will be issued to implement this change, with a permanent arrangement following next season through a management plan amendment. Find out more by reading the Council email below.

Commercial take of setose permitted year-round (hs-sites.com)

DECK Program Registrations Open.

The DECK Program (Develop, Education, Capacity, Knowledge) is an opportunity for all members of the Western Rock Lobster industry, including skippers, deckhands, and commercial fishers, to enhance their knowledge and skills in areas such as resource management, industry representation, and small business operations.

The Council's DECK program will run in mid-October in Geraldton. Members and fishers are encouraged to visit the Council website to learn more about it.

Deck Program 2024 - Western Rock Lobster

Dive into the Tales of the Sea at the Big Sky Writer's Festival.

GFC has secured a limited number of tickets to the 'Cray Tales Revisited' event, which is part of the Big Sky Writer's Festival in Geraldton.

The event is set for October 11th, from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, and dinner is included.

If you are interested in attending the night, please contact us or call 99659000. There are a maximum of two tickets per family.  To secure a spot, names will be drawn from a hat.

The event promises an evening filled with engaging talks centred on fishing and the ocean.

Check out the full program here.

Weekly prize winners for the 2024 season will receive a $30 voucher to spend at Brolos Fresh:

Round 19 - Zambucca               
Round 20 - Bigrenz & Sea Sick Mick      
Round 21 - Bruce253
Round 22 - Harry Burnas
Round 23 - Bruce253
Round 24 - Davo273
Qualifying Final - Dockerjen
Semi Final - Psolution
Preliminary Final - RigalStar                 

(please note weekly winners are only eligible for the prizes once they have paid fees)