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 introduced himself to those Members online who hadn't attended one of the coastal barbecues last month. Marc gave a brief introduction to his professional career and experience at Treasury Wine Estates, Vasse Felix and Brownes Dairy. Marc also shared some information about himself, as a former Kiwi who migrated to WA at 16 years of age. His wife of 25 years, Shelley and two young daughters. 
• Marc will split his time between Perth and Geraldton and encouraged any Members to get in contact him if they'd like to meet or have a discussion.
• Marc joined the online meeting from Sydney, where he had been speaking at a cooperative and mutual roundtable discussion with the Hon. Dr. Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury. Please see the separate article below for more information. 
• Marc gave an update on the latest GFC board meeting. In addition to standing agenda items, the Board celebrated the recent Safe Quality Food (SQF) accreditation that will further drive GFC's food safety culture.
• Marc congratulated the staff on their hard work in securing this accreditation. SQF will positively impact on GFC's food safety culture while opening up market opportunities for Brolos lobster products globally.
• The Board also discussed GFC's upcoming 75th anniversary. Marc shared with attendees that a committee will be formed to start preparing celebrations, and more information will be shared with everyone as preparations continue. 

Update from Leith Teakle;

• Leith spoke about the recent Period Three Top Up period which was emailed to Members over the Easter holiday.
• Leith provided a more detailed breakdown of the beach prices by zone for the season to date (STD).

• Leith stated despite a challenging business environment, the season to date beach prices had exceeded expectations. Leith will endeavour to share season to date beach prices for each zone as part of the regular content in the online member meetings.

Market Update from Bryan Keay;

• Intake throughout March was significantly lower than the same period last year. The catch for the season to date is now behind pre-COVID historical averages. Bryan went on to explain that the balance quota to catch for the season will likely result in supply being higher than demand and result in some frozen lobster production. 
• Because of this, Bryan anticipated that the beach price forecast would be around frozen production equivalents and likely to be quite stable. Due to this, Bryan stated GFC will do everything it can to put as much return to members in the daily beach prices.
• Bryan shared that most export markets are currently going through a period of low demand and the next major market demand period is May Day. Given the anticipated catch profile, Bryan cautioned that even with high market demand, intake is still likely to exceed demand.
• Bryan spoke about how live sales volume and intake have been more aligned this season, allowing prices to appreciate and GFC to sell down frozen inventory, which supported a higher top up payment for period 3.
• Bryan also shared that supplies of Orange Roughy bait are likely to sell out soon. Orange Roughy is increasingly being used for human consumption, creating more competition for the product. The next shipment of Orange Roughy to GFC is expected to be at slightly higher prices. Bryan asked for Members feedback on their expected usage based on a slightly higher price to better forecast order volume requirements.

The next Member online meeting is scheduled for the 3rd May 2024. The meeting link will be sent to Members via email before the meeting.

Member Barbecues During March.

Many thanks for all our Members and their families that came along to one of our coastal BBQs to meet with new CEO, Marc Anderson. 

The BBQs were a great way to catch up with fellow fishers, GFC staff and give our new CEO an understanding of fisher's priorities, concerns and ideas.

Thank you to all who attended, and we look forward to running more of these in the future. Check out just a few of the photos below and see more on our Facebook page.

Brolos Lobster at International Food & Drink Event in London.

Members from GFC's Trade and Business Development team recently joined Austrade and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and other Australian produces in exhibiting premium, sustainable product at the the International Food and Drink Event (IFE) in London. 

The A-UKFTA came into force on May 31, 2023, marking a significant milestone in trade relations between Australia and the United Kingdom. 

With the elimination of some hefty tariffs on Australian seafood, including Rock Lobster, exporters now enjoy improved access to the UK's seafood market. GFC is keen to explore opportunities for Brolos Lobster in the UK. In addition to the opportunities through our IFE expo presence, the Trade team staff met with distributors, wholesalers and attended a market immersion tour. Check out some of the highlights in the images below.

National Co-operative Producers Roundtable

Last week, our CEO, Marc Anderson joined, the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals to host the National Co-operative Producers Roundtable in Sydney with fellow cooperative members and the Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and Assistant Minister for Employment. 

The forum was convened to communicate the unique economic contribution of co-operatives and mutuals. The Federal Government is halfway through a National Competition Review, aimed at enhancing economic dynamism, productivity, wage growth and downward pressure on prices.
 
Marc and his cooperative counterparts provided examples of how producer-owned co-ops boost competitiveness across the Australian economy from food and beverage to automotive to building supplies, enhancing our economic dynamism and corporate diversity in the process. 

You can read Dr Andrew Leigh's address to the Co-operative Roundtable here.

Super Seafood Celebrations at Easter

The Super Seafood campaign raises awareness about certified sustainable seafood run by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the sustainability partner of GFC and the Western Rock Lobster fishery.

GFC joined in the Super Seafood campaign to celebrate the farms, fisheries, retailers, chefs and restaurants in Australia that support responsible fishing practices to ensure we have seafood forever.

Find out more about the Super Seafood campaign. 

 Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Outlook Report

ABARES Australian fisheries and aquaculture outlook report contains ABARES forecasts for the value of Australian fisheries and aquaculture production and exports, including for the key species rock lobster, salmonids, abalone, tuna and prawns.

Key points in the ABARES outlook for Australian rock lobster include;

• The nominal production value of rock lobster is forecast to increase in 2023−24 to $403 million in nominal terms, due to higher prices from tight supply of live lobster exports to key Asian markets from North America.
• Production and export value is expected to fall from 2024−25 due to lower projected real landing prices, as an expected appreciation of the Australian dollar dampens export prices (Figure 5).
• Export diversification is expected to be limited, but steadily continue, away from China to other destinations in the north Asia and ASEAN regions and to the United States. 

Find out more about the ABARES report here. 

New Exemption for Small Entitlement Fishers during Whale Season Restrictions.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has recently granted a new exemption, which permits smaller fishers to utilise additional rock lobster pots during the whale mitigation season from 1st May to 31st October each year.

Fishers can find detailed information about this exemption from the Western Rock Lobster Council email.

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

Opening Round - Chantz Mackenzie          
Round 1 - Cindy Lissiman                  
Round 2 - Chadd Newby                   
Round 3 - John Abbott
Round 4 - baz259                       

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

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