Dear Members, Staff, and Friends,

As we approach the festive season, I want to reflect on what makes our co-operative so special. 

I've had the privilege of catching up with so many members, staff and their families this year. Whether it was a chat on the wharf while unloading baskets, sharing a drink at a coastal barbecue, Family Day celebrations, a conversation at our 75th anniversary evenings, or travelling to Japan with our sales team to participate in trade shows and meet customers. Every one of these interactions reminds me that GFC is built on hard work, resilience, and community. Those values have carried us through challenges and triumphs for 75 years, and they continue to guide us into the future.

Christmas is a time to celebrate togetherness, and that's precisely what our co-operative stands for. From our fishers to our dedicated staff behind the scenes, every one of you plays a vital role in keeping this ship sailing strong. Your effort, passion, and pride are what make GFC unique—and I couldn't be prouder to serve as your Chair.

As we look ahead to the new year, let's keep that spirit alive: adapting, growing, and protecting the ocean and the way of life that defines us. The world may change, markets may shift, but our commitment to each other and to the future of this industry remains steadfast.

On behalf of the Board and leadership team, thank you for your dedication throughout the year. May this Christmas bring you joy, rest, and time with loved ones—and may the year ahead be full of opportunity and success.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Warm regards,
Basil Lenzo

Check the video at the end of this email to re-live some of the highlights from 2025.

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

Update from Marc Anderson

• Marc opened the meeting by reflecting on the year's significant changes and highlights. In recent weeks, Marc has visited sites along the coast, from the Midwest to Fremantle. While the whites have been quieter this year, Marc acknowledged the hard work and commitment of GFC staff to help create enduring value for Members.
• Marc shared an update from the December board meeting, where the board elected office bearers following the AGM. Basil Lenzo and Kris Carlberg were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Marc congratulated them on their continued leadership, acknowledging their significant contributions and the stability they bring to GFC's board.
• The recent demersal fishing ban announced by the State Government was also discussed. Marc emphasised the need for a vibrant, sustainable fishery guided by scientific principles that benefits not only commercial fishers but also the wider West Australian community. GFC and the Western Rock Lobster Council remain strong advocates for this approach in all stakeholder engagements.

Update from Bryan Keay

• Bryan reported that current intake is approximately 2% ahead of 2024 levels, with about 37% of the season’s intake already caught.
• Compared to December 2024, intake levels are significantly lower this year. Bryan presented data on intake volume by grade, highlighting a notable shift in the intake profile across grades.
• Bryan discussed how recent weather events have affected Vietnamese lobster farm production, indirectly supporting prices for other species. He also noted the possibility of new tariffs being introduced on Mexican lobster exports to China.
• An overview of average beach prices in recent weeks was presented, including season-to-date averages by fishing zone. Bryan spoke about the upcoming Lunar New Year and provided some forecasted prices for January, noting a later-than-normal Lunar New Year in 2026.

The following Member online meeting, scheduled for mid-January, will be announced soon. The meeting link will be emailed to Members before the meeting.

Brolos Tails Continue to Lead in the U.S. Despite Headwinds.

CEO Marc Anderson recently travelled with the GM of Trade and Business Development, Bryan Keay, to the United States to meet with customers and partners. Marc shares some insights on the U.S. market and GFC's market position with Members below.

Our recent U.S. market visit reaffirmed Western Rock Lobster's strong reputation and the dominant preference for Brolos tails among wholesalers and chefs. Brolos remains the benchmark for quality, consistently recognised as the preferred brand in a competitive landscape.

A consistent theme in meetings is that the USA market is highly price-sensitive, driven by cost-of-living pressures and uncertainty over tariffs. These dynamics support tactics underway to work more collaboratively with buyers and chefs on pricing, volume forecasting, and promotional activity.

The trip also provided valuable insights into evolving trends, including opportunities to collaborate with chefs and explore branded retail offerings. Strengthening relationships remains a focus as we navigate pricing challenges and competitive pressures.

Overall, this visit reinforced the strength of the Brolos brand and opened the door to deeper collaboration with agents and customers to drive growth and maintain our leadership in the U.S. lobster market.

Empowering Seafood Industry Women Through “Turn the Tide”

After six dynamic months, WISA’s Turn the Tide Entrepreneurship & Leadership program wrapped up with a high-impact roundtable in Canberra, uniting 34 women leaders from diverse corners of the seafood sector. This unique program, blending virtual and in-person sessions, tackled pressing workplace and cultural challenges. Participants collaborated in cross-regional action groups, developing solutions that build confidence, promote collaboration, and increase visibility for women across the industry.

This year, GFC’s female leaders—Ashton Gundlach from Member Services and Mandy Miao from Trade and Business Development—have made significant contributions to the Turn the Tide program. 

Mandy, reflecting on the journey of balancing a demanding role and a personal life, consistently showed up, developing persistence and a sense of community. Mandy shared that the experience “taught me much more than professional skills,” broadening perspectives and renewing her motivation to grow under pressure. Completing the program, she said, strengthened her confidence and inspired her to take what she’s learned forward.

Ash Gundlach (Member Services) also stood out as a key contributor, with her leadership underscoring the importance of authentic co-leadership and representation. Her involvement demonstrates how WISA’s platform elevates diverse voices, fostering inclusive leadership and strengthening support systems across the sector.

Turn the Tide demonstrates that with meaningful engagement, mentorship, and strong peer networks, women in seafood are empowered to drive innovation, cultural transformation, and long-term sustainability across the industry. We will bring you more news about WISAs programs in 2026.

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 November, we recognised a very worthy recipient, Paul Bateman (Bean), from the Geraldton Travel Lift/Yard. Read Paul's nomination reason below:

"Paul went above and beyond this month, stepping outside his usual role to lend a hand when the team needed it most. His proactive attitude and willingness to support others truly reflect GFC’s core values of collaboration, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

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

Seismic Testing off the Coast of Dongara Delayed

Pilot Energy's 3D marine seismic survey, scheduled 6 km off the coast of Dongara, has been delayed for approximately 12 months. Pilot Energy was unable to secure a suitable vessel for its Eureka 3-D survey, which was expected to start in February 2026. 

Covering approximately 946 km², the operation would use loud air-gun blasts for up to 40 continuous days—noise described in federal Parliament as 'as loud as a rocket launch or an underwater dynamite explosion.'

Commercial fishing peak bodies, including the Western Rock Lobster Council and the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), along with Dongara residents, have expressed significant concerns about the impact on marine life and rock lobster biomass, with a local petition gaining around 3000 signatures. 

The Western Rock Lobster industry position paper supports clean energy but insists on proper consideration before projects proceed. Key concerns include secure access to fishing grounds, protecting the lobster lifecycle from noise and electromagnetic impacts, and ensuring any "co-existence" is genuine—not just a promise.

As WA's only Co-operative rock lobster producer, GFC continues to support the Council's position and advocates this position when engaging with government leaders and representatives to ensure thorough impact assessments and meaningful engagement to ensure marine sustainability and the livelihoods of WA fishers.

Japan Lobster Industry Landings Plummet

Spiny lobster catches in Japan have collapsed, especially around Kozushima Island, according to an article in The Japan News.

Annual landings have fallen from 23 tonnes in 1986 to just 0.4 tonnes in 2023—a 98% drop. Fishermen now report daily hauls of only 10 kg. Rising sea temperatures and environmental changes are blamed for disrupting habitats and reproduction.

The decline threatens local economies and traditions, prompting some regions to explore alternatives, such as sturgeon aquaculture for caviar. This trend highlights the urgent need for adaptive strategies to protect marine ecosystems and sustain coastal livelihoods.

Be Prepared For Extreme Weather This Summer

Recent bushfires and severe weather in the Midwest are a timely reminder to stay prepared during the summer. Extreme heat, strong winds, and fire risks can escalate quickly, so we've assembled some useful resources to keep you informed and help keep you safe:

Be Prepared

• Know your local fire danger ratings and weather warnings.
• Create or review your emergency plan for your family and property, it only takes 10 minutes.
• Stay connected to reliable sources for updates.

Useful Resources

• Emergency WA: Emergency WA Warnings & Incidents – Live alerts and warnings.
• ABC Local Radio: The ABC functions as Australia's primary emergency broadcaster, tune in for real-time emergency broadcasts and community updates.
• DFES Alerts: DFES - Department of Fire and Emergency Services – Fire and emergency information.

Reflecting on 2025: Growth, Innovation & Community at GFC

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re proud to look back on an extraordinary year at Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative. From our landmark 75th anniversary celebrations to supporting our local communities and championing sustainable Australian seafood, this year showcased the remarkable resilience, innovation, and teamwork of our members, staff, and partners.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re more committed than ever to delivering excellence, driving sustainability, and creating value for everyone in the GFC community.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. Here’s to another year of success, innovation, and collective achievement!

Check out a few highlights of our year in the slideshow below.