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 provided an update on the recent board meeting, highlighting a review of the previous fiscal year. More details will be shared in the annual reports and at the Annual General Meeting in November.
• Marc discussed upcoming capital projects, including the acquisition of new trucks and infrastructure, aimed at enhancing the quality and efficiency of services for Members.
• Marc mentioned the Climate Governance Forum by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, noting that while GFC is currently exempt from new disclosure requirements, this may change. The Board and Management will continue to follow best practices for planning and mitigating climate risks.
• GFC recently participated in an important industry roundtable on productivity—a topic that has been increasingly in focus by the government and media. BCCM convened the Co-operative and Mutuals Productivity Round Table with Dr. Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities, and Treasury.
• Marc also spoke about ongoing stakeholder and political engagement advocacy.

Update from Leith Teakle;

• Leith briefly discussed the survey results of the final set of Member engagement surveys. Leith will present a report at an upcoming online meeting, but shared that preliminary feedback from Members was overwhelmingly positive. 
• Leith provided an update on the Mid West Port Authority's maximisation plan and its anticipated impact on GFC's Geraldton head office location. Leith stated that a relocation of the Geraldton office from Ocean Street to a nearby location is expected to be finalised soon.
• GFC's 75th anniversary invitations have begun to be sent out. Leith urged recipients to RSVP as soon as possible to ensure venues were filled with shareholders and staff connected to GFC. 

Update from Bryan Keay;

• Bryan spoke about the strong start to the new season, sharing a significant increase in July intake compared to the same month in 2024. He noted that volumes in August had softened, which helped to support beach prices. Intake season-to-date is tracking around 1% higher than adjusted 2024 figures.
• Bryan spoke about the seasonal low period, which included Ghost Month in many export markets (August 23rd to September 6th). Furthermore, the Little B lobster season has resumed, and the South Australian season is set to commence in September. For this reason, it's believed beach prices will be highly sensitive to volume. Sensitivity across the lobster grades isn't expected to be equal, and Bryan shared some data on his expectations for pricing for different lobster sizes.
• This low-demand period is pretty typical for this time of year, but it's expected that prices and demand will rise from this low point in September and October.
• Bryan also shared with Members stronger season-to-date beach prices and some recent marketing activities. See below for more information on these market activities.

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

Trade Expo and Product Immersion Sessions

While the winter is typically a quieter period for intake, the Trade and Business Development team is busy delivering marketing activations in Australia and overseas.

Earlier this month, staff from the Trade and Business Development team delivered a series of product immersion sessions with customers and prospects in Sydney. Discussions included pricing and availability forecasts for the Australian summer.

Late last week, other Trade team members participated in the 27th Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo, held in Tokyo. Japan has long been a legacy market for GFC, with over a generation of consistent export and trusted, mutually beneficial relationships with our Japanese clients. 

There's nothing more powerful than working directly with partners in-market to bring brand and product stories to life. These opportunities not only deepen partnerships and gain important market insights but also ensure that our messaging resonates with consumers in meaningful ways.

Next month, GFC will participate in the Seafood Expo Asia in Singapore. Members who joined the South East Asian tour last year will recall attending this seafood trade show. We'll share an update and images on this expo in a future edition.

Lobster Legend Program - Celebrating Excellence & Inspiring Greatness

Each month, GFC recognises an outstanding team member 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 July, we recognised two outstanding achievers:

Jessica Cooper - Geraldton
Jess stepped up during the EOFY crunch, putting in extra hours to support key reconciliations — all while juggling her own finance deadlines. 
Helen Zhou - Welshpool
Helen was pivotal in the smooth rollout of our new export documentation system designed to improve efficiency and accuracy for export shipments. Helen's expertise and calm handling of complex issues has had a positive impact on the team’s efficiency.

Trans Tasman Rock Lobster Conference

Last week, Seafood Victoria hosted rock lobster fishers, producers, government and stakeholders at the biennial conference.

A vast amount of ground was covered on important and pressing topics, including trade relations, innovation, climate change, and resource stewardship, under the conference theme 'harvesting opportunities and grappling with change.' It was fantastic to have a strong contingent of GFC Members attend, contribute, and learn at the conference.

With around 40 Members attending, it was also an excellent opportunity for fishers to acknowledge and celebrate our Co-operative's 75th anniversary amongst industry peers. It was significant to have Kris Carlberg, GFC Board Deputy Chair and a Member whose family history has been entwined with the Co-operative since the beginning, address attendees during the Welcome Function. Thank you to all the Members who joined and made it a week to remember!

Artificial Reef Impacts on Marine Life and Fishing

Australia now hosts over 150 artificial reefs, which support more than 120 fish species and boost recreational fishing and tourism. These artificial structures—often built from recycled oil and gas infrastructure—are proving to enhance marine biodiversity, support climate resilience, and offer valuable social and economic benefits.

Insights from the recent CARAH 2025 conference show global interest in reef innovation, with FRDC-backed projects gaining international recognition. Read more in the link below.

Are artificial reefs increasing marine life, boosting recreational fishing and driving tourism? | FRDC

New Lab Funding for South Australian Algal Blooms

A new federally funded laboratory in Adelaide aims to enhance South Australia's response to toxic algal blooms that have affected the seafood industry since March. These blooms, linked to marine heatwaves, have introduced brevetoxins into shellfish, leading to harvest closures and economic strain.

Previously, testing required samples to be sent to New Zealand, resulting in delays of up to a week. This initiative is part of a $28 million support package that includes small business grants and community support. 

New lab promises to curb algal bloom devastating state's seafood industry

Celebrating 75 Years Strong

Our 75th Anniversary Organising Committee has been working behind the scenes to plan a range of events and activities for staff, fishers, and stakeholders. We've also created a 75th logo identity for the celebrations, which has been rolled out this month.

GFC has a long history, and we've traditionally observed significant milestones with a temporary anniversary logo. The "75 Strong" positioning for this logo is a tribute to the hard work, unity, and values that have defined our Co-operative for generations. It represents our commitment to high-quality seafood and sustainability. No organisation reaches 75 years without ups and downs - something we can all attest to - but we are stronger and can achieve more together.

As always, this celebration isn't just about us—it's a tribute to the incredible people who have shaped our co-operative since 1950. We are keen to hear from everyone who has a story, special memories, photos or memorabilia. If you're eager to share your favourite memories and connect to our community, be sure to follow our Facebook page for regular Throwback Thursday (#TBT) stories and photos or email us below.

Sail GP Set to Make Waves in Fremantle

We’re excited to share that the Sail GP Championship will make its highly anticipated debut in Fremantle early next year. This global sailing spectacle will bring the world’s best sailors and their high-speed, 50-foot foiling catamarans to Bathers Beach — right on the doorstep of several GFC facilities in Freo.

The event promises adrenaline-fueled racing at speeds over 100 km/h, with close-to-shore action and a vibrant festival atmosphere. It’s a thrilling addition to Fremantle’s event calendar and a fantastic opportunity to showcase our port city to a global audience. Check the event link below for more information about Sail GP.

Perth Sail Grand Prix Information, Tickets, Live Stream and Broadcast Details

Reminder to Download Your Favourite Family Day Images

Last month, we shared a wrap-up and images from our 75th anniversary Family Day. If you missed the previous edition, or didn't download your favourite photos, click on the link below before they're gone!

McTaggart Fishing Family Featured on History of WA Commercial Fishing Facebook

We've previously featured the History of WA Commercial Fishing Facebook page, where the team chronicles the people, places, and events that have helped shape Western Australia's commercial fishing industry.

Most recently, GFC Member, the McTaggarts, were featured. The article post and images are a fascinating look into the McTaggart family legacy. Read more on Facebook.

LEADERBOARD