Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative's online meetings enable members to engage regularly with their management team. A summary of the most recent meeting is provided below.

Member Update

Special Guest from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Pamela Currie, the State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, joined the online meeting as a guest. Pamela provided an update on Australia's pursuit of free trade agreements (FTAs) and an update on global geopolitical and trade issues.

Update from Leith Teakle

• Leith encouraged all fishers and Western Rock Lobster Council members to attend the Annual Management Meeting in Fremantle on the 9th March or the Geraldton meeting on the 11th March. If Members are unable to attend, they can still participate in the TACC vote by checking email correspondence from the Western Rock Lobster Council.

Update from Bryan Keay

• Bryan presented a market update, highlighting that season-to-date catch is around 4% ahead of 2025 intake levels. He discussed the strong performance in February, with consistent volumes that exceeded last year's figures, and given the lower fishing quota this season, sets fishers up well for the balance of the season.
• Bryan attributed the recent strong market performance to factors such as the late Chinese New Year, which coincided with reduced supply from other regions, and potentially a "double spring" in China.
• Bryan shared with Members the average beach prices for the season-to-date, along with the long-range forecast for March. He also mentioned that prices are expected to decrease seasonally, particularly for grades D, E, and F, as they typically bottom out in March and April.
• Loyalty payments for Period 2 will be announced by the 14th March.

The next Member online meeting is scheduled for late March. The meeting link will be emailed to Members before the meeting.

Expanding Global Opportunities for Brolos Lobster with WA Gulf Trade Mission.

Geraldton Fishermen's Co‑operative's CEO, Marc Anderson, recently took part in the Western Australian Government's trade mission to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The mission, led by the Minister of Fisheries and DPIRD, strengthened Western Australia's position as a trusted partner in food security across the Gulf region. 

The delegation focused on leveraging the Australia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and aligning Western Australia's premium food production with Qatar's 2030 National Food Security Strategy—a valuable opportunity to highlight the quality, reliability and sustainability of WA's premium rock lobster.

Across meetings with government, retail and hospitality leaders, Western Australia showcased its deep commitment to traceability and sustainable production, reinforcing the strengths that underpin our industry and distinguish WA seafood in global markets. 

With the Gulf continuing to grow as a high‑value market for Western Australian agrifood exports, the mission provided direct insights into consumer expectations and opened pathways for strengthened commercial relationships in the region. 

GFC's Brolos Lobster was chosen from a select group of producers and exporters to support the West Australian government's mission to highlight our state's ongoing commitment to expanding international opportunities and ensuring WA lobster maintains its reputation as a world‑class premium product.

Sultan Way Facility Achieves SQF Recertification.

The Sultan Way site completed its Safe Quality Food (SQF) recertification audit earlier this month, achieving an excellent score of 98 for the second year in a row.

Globally recognised accreditations, such as SQF, are a key way for us to demonstrate our commitment to food safety and quality to our partners and customers. This achievement not only strengthens our competitive edge but also ensures continued and reliable market access, particularly in established markets such as the UK and the EU.

This strong audit result was made possible by the exceptional collaboration across the site—from production to quality assurance and compliance teams—and by our continued focus on the highest food safety standards within GFC, helping build a robust food safety culture across all levels of our organisation.

Lobster Legend Program - Celebrating Excellence & Inspiring Greatness.

Each month, GFC recognises outstanding team members through the Lobster Legend Program. This peer-nominated initiative celebrates GFC employees who embody our core values (Safety, Productivity, Continuous Improvement, Quality and Respect) and go above and beyond for our co-operative.

In January, we recognised Mario La-Verghetta from Fremantle. Read their nomination reason below:

"Through recent changes, Mario has consistently stepped up, offering help whenever needed and helping keep things moving forward during a period of transition. Mario truly reflects GFC’s core values:
Collaboration – always working alongside the team and ready to jump in wherever support is needed.
Integrity – taking ownership, delivering reliably, and doing things the right way.
Commitment to Excellence – going above and beyond to ensure the success of the supply chain team.
Mario’s dedication and willingness to support everyone around him have made a significant impact, making him a very deserving Lobster Legend."

Congratulations, Mario, and thanks for your contributions! We'll bring you more Lobster Legends in future editions.

Shaping the Future of Australian Seafood - Seafood Directions.

Seafood Directions is Australia’s premier national forum for shaping the future of the seafood industry. Held biennially, the program brings together leaders from wild catch, aquaculture, processing, trade, research and government to discuss industry challenges, share best practices and identify opportunities for long‑term growth. The 2026 program focuses on six key themes: consumers, innovation and technology, workforce development, climate and environmental resilience, food security and resource access, and global market and trade dynamics.

Seafood Directions plays a central role in setting industry direction, strengthening networks and supporting a sustainable, competitive and future‑ready Australian seafood sector. Find out more on the convention website. 

Antibacterial Ban Possible in Tasmanian Waters to Support Wild-Caught Fisheries.

According to the Tasmanian Country newspaper, Tasmania’s salmon industry could be banned from using the antibiotic florfenicol as early as next week, following concerns about its spread beyond salmon farming sites. Recent testing has detected traces of florfenicol in wild marine species more than 10 kilometres from salmon pens.

For Tasmania’s high‑value rock lobster industry, the implications are significant. The fishery has already experienced precautionary closures to protect export market access, and further regulatory action on florfenicol could lead to additional shutdowns if residue concerns persist. Maintaining zero‑antibiotic detection is critical for key export partners, leaving the sector vulnerable to any contamination linked to neighbouring aquaculture activity. 

A proposed ban offers long‑term reassurance for market confidence. Still, in the short term, fishers may face operational disruption as authorities work to contain environmental exposure and protect Tasmania’s global reputation.

A Taste of Glastonbury Arrives at Geraldton Wharf with Flotsam and Jetsam.

The Flotsam & Jetsam initiative continues to be one of Geraldton’s most inspiring community-driven art and environmental programs. Led by Latitude Jewellers, the project transforms washed‑up marine debris collected from the Abrolhos Islands into meaningful, thought‑provoking artworks, all while raising awareness about ocean protection and sustainability. Since 2011, Flotsam & Jetsam has brought together artists, ocean advocates, and the wider community to reimagine discarded materials and highlight the importance of preserving our coastline. 

This year’s theme, Flotsambury, invites creators to explore the interplay of music, rhythm, memory, and storytelling through repurposed materials—continuing the tradition of using art to inspire positive environmental action. The Art Materials Collection Day at Geraldton Fisherman’s Wharf earlier this week marked the beginning of the creative journey that culminates in the annual exhibition.

We are proud to continue our support for this year’s Flotsam & Jetsam event. Supporting this initiative aligns with our commitment to community, creativity, and environmental stewardship. We are honoured to stand behind a program that not only celebrates artistic expression but also champions a cleaner, more sustainable future for our oceans. Connect with Flotsam & Jetsam on Facebook, and we'll bring you more news and dates of the exhibition in future editions.

GFC's AFL Footy Tipping Competition is Back for 2026!

Footy season is nearly here, which means one very important thing… AFL tipping is back!

Our annual GFC Tipping Competition is now live, and we invite all Members and Staff for another season of friendly rivalry, bold predictions, and bragging rights. Click the button below to register on the Footy Tips website using the credentials below. The opening round is this Thursday, 5th March.

Competition Name: GFC 2026
Entry Fee: $50

The total prize pool will be announced once all tippers are registered.