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 gave Members an overview of an upcoming visit to Canberra that he and Basil Lenzo will attend. Marc and Basil have organised representation from key Australian rock lobster fisheries from around the country to visit and meet with senior representatives and Australian Government leaders and advisors. We will provide an update on the visit at our next online meeting.
• In addition to these travel plans, Marc will attend the Seafood Directions Conference hosted by the Seafood Industry Australia in Canberra. Marc will participate in a number of panels and workshops with industry peers to discuss the challenges and opportunities of fisheries around Australia.
• Later this month, GM of Export Operations Paul Ridout will leave GFC and return to his previous career specialty, project management. Marc expressed his gratitude to Paul for his significant contributions to GFC, starting as a project management consultant during the Welshpool facility construction to more recent projects, like the Sultan Way refurbishments. Marc advised members that following a recruitment campaign, Glen Davidson, GM of Supply Chain Operations, will relocate to Perth and take on the role. Glen will be well-known to most Members thanks to his long career in GFC, where he has held such roles as Research and Development Officer and Operations Manager. Marc thanked Paul again and gave his support to Glen in the new role.
• Marc shared that, along with a few staff members, he attended the Co-operatives and Mutuals Strategic Development Program, presented by AIM WA, the UWA Business School and the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals. The program is aimed at current leaders and addresses the specific governance, share capital distribution, and strategic purpose that define some of the core differences between member-owned organisations and corporates.
• Marc shared that GFC's board meeting will be held later this month. As part of the agenda, Marc has organised a green hydrogen expert who will speak to the Board and Management about effective and efficient transitions from diesel to hydrogen for boat and truck fleets.

Update from Leith Teakle;

• Following the recent coastal meetings from the Western Rock Lobster Council, Leith gave Members an insight into the advocacy work GFC, along with industry bodies and processors from around the country, have been doing. We will continue to provide more details during online meetings.
• Leith gave an update on an Australia China Business Council networking event that GFC will be a major partner in presenting. The event will take place in Canberra on September 12th and will bring together prominent Australian and Chinese business leaders, ambassadors, and Australian Government dignitaries.
• Leith thanked members for their patience as testing continues for an improved statement. The new statement is expected to be rolled out in around one month, including a fortnight summary and a more detailed season summary. In an upcoming meeting, we will share more news about when this changeover will happen.

Market Update from Bryan Keay;

• Bryan shared that the demand in most export markets is sluggish, with muted economic activity and a quiet period on festival calendars as the main reasons. Thanks to recent poor weather, resulting in lower intake, the beach price has been relatively well insulated against these market conditions. However, Bryan stated that with the upswing in supply, Members will now be noticing the impact on the beach price. The Ghost Month festival, historically a period of low demand, commenced on the 4th of August. In addition, the Miami Little Bee opened recently, and this is impacting the market for smaller grades, such as A size.
• The season-to-date intake is tracking closely when compared to last season's intake.  Until recently, the weekly intake volume was tracking well against sales volume. However, in this quiet demand period, if intake continues to increase, beach prices are expected to adjust to around frozen parity.
• Looking ahead, Bryan shared with Members that the South Australian fishery will open on the 1st of September, and the Mid-Autumn festival will begin on the 17th of September. The Mid-Autumn festival is usually a higher-demand period.
• Bryan gave an overview of some upcoming trade expo activities that will coincide with the Member Southeast Asian tour that includes Singapore and Vietnam. GFC will also be expos in Shanghai and Qingdao.

September's Member online meeting will be scheduled shortly, it is expected to happen after the end of the Southeast Asia Fisher Tour (August 30th to September 7th). The meeting link will be sent to Members via email once the schedule is confirmed.

Mini Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress at Welshpool.

Earlier this month, our staff took the team from Southern Fisheries in South Australia and Ngai-Tahu Seafoods from New Zealand for a tour of our Welshpool facility.

The group had a great discussion about some of the similarities and differences in our operations due to the variations in the species of lobster we produce.

Change to Geraldton Boat Yard Services.

Over the last 12 months, GFC has undertaken a significant review of the boatyard operations. After careful consideration, it has been decided that the GFC Geraldton Boat Yard will cease operations on June 30, 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 have contacted all recent Members and public customers who have used the boat yard services to inform them of this decision. In an effort to assist with the transition, we have provided information about potential alternative service providers at Geraldton Harbour.

We understand that GFC Members may have questions or concerns about this decision. We want to assure you that we are committed to helping you through this transition period. To address these, we will be holding an informal Q&A session for Members next Friday, August 23, at the Marine Store. We will send an SMS with more details next week.

The Nationals WA Visit to GFC in Geraldton.

At the start of this month, CEO Marc Anderson met with Geraldton National candidate Kirrilee Warr, Nationals WA leader and Opposition Leader Shane Love, and Nationals candidate Rob Hortsman.

It was an opportunity for Marc to share the contributions of our Members, the cooperative's history, and recent challenges and successes. 

Safety Alert: Electric Shocks.

Recently, we experienced two incidents at GFC where both staff and fishermen encountered electric shocks while working around GFC conveyors. Fortunately, the shocks were at extra low voltage, and no injuries were sustained. However, these incidents serve as a critical reminder of the risks associated with electricity and powered equipment.

An electric shock is a sudden, often painful jolt running through the body—something you can't easily ignore. A tingle, on the other hand, is a milder sensation, often feeling like pins and needles or a warm, fuzzy feeling. Both should be taken seriously.

These incidents often arise from faulty wiring in electrical installations or equipment. GFC conducts regular inspections and testing of all electrical equipment by qualified personnel to prevent these incidents, however, due to the nature of our workplace (wet environment) the risk is inherently higher. 

What Should You Do If You Experience an Electric Shock or Tingle?

• Stop Immediately: Do not touch the installation or equipment again.
• Warn Others: Warn other people in the area to prevent them from being harmed.
• Report Immediately: No matter how minor it seems, report the incident to the responsible GFC Site Manager. A medical assessment may be necessary to ensure your safety.

Your Safety Matters

As our valued members, your safety is our priority. Please follow all safety instructions from GFC staff, especially when delivering lobster or interacting with our equipment. Working together, we can ensure a safe environment for everyone involved.

Australian Fish Stocks Report Hub.

The Australian Fish Stocks Reports evaluate the condition of Australia's major wild catch fish stocks by compiling data on their biology, catch, and fishing efforts.

Starting in 2018, this information has been utilised to track Australia's advancement towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.4.1, which focuses on maintaining a proportion of fish stocks at sustainable levels. The United Nations Sustainability Goals serve as a roadmap for creating a better and more sustainable future for everyone.

All Australian rock lobster fisheries achieved sustainable status due to robust fisheries management and an engaged commercial and processor sector.

You can view the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports here.

Australian Fisheries Management CEO Calls for a Rethink of Fisheries Management Strategies.

The CEO of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), Wez Norris, is advocating for a significant overhaul of fisheries management strategies to tackle the “convergence of challenges” that threaten the future of Australia’s wild fisheries. 

Wez Norris, emphasizes the need for new strategies to address rising costs, competition for marine resources, and climate change impacts on fish stocks.

You can read the full article on the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) website.

DECK Program Registrations Open for 2024.

The Western Rock Lobster Council's DECK program for 2024 is now open for registration.

The program offers professional development and learning opportunities tailored for all members of the Western rock lobster industry.

It will be held from midday on Tuesday, October 15th, to midday on Wednesday, October 16th, at the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre. Participation is free, but RSVPs are required due to limited venue capacity.

To learn more and to register, visit the DECK Program page.

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 - Harryburnas

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