From gaining independent sustainability certification to managing catch quotas, wild catch fishers embrace sustainability as a core value.
Sustainability is about keeping coastal towns economically viable by providing jobs to local fishers who in turn provide fresh, ethically caught seafood to our community.
Find out more about the sustainability practices continuing to thrive in commercial wild catch.
Ocean Insights: Fishing for Future Generations
Sustainability involves much more than catching fish in line with rules and regulations. It’s about keeping coastal towns economically viable by providing jobs to local fishers who in turn provide fresh, ethically caught seafood to our community.
Gavin Jackman’s family have been fishing in Albany for a century, and he hopes to continue this tradition so his kids can also one day provide fresh seafood to the town.
“Us as fishers - we’re custodians of the water – it’s in our best interest to look after the smaller fish and return them to the water, because that is our future,” Gavin said.
Dive Deeper - Ben Gilliland
Sustainability is more than just securing a social license for commercial fisher Ben Gilliland.
He believes that Queensland fishers truly understand the importance of treating Australia’s fish and environment with respect and responsibility.
In this video, Ben explains the thorough process he undertakes to report his daily catch as well as his ambition for all Australians to better understand the role of commercial fishing.
Ocean Insights: Provenance
Once upon a time, there was a fish...
Andrew, Renae, and their son Elliot, run a successful fish and chip shop up in Queensland called ‘Tobin Fish Tales’.
The shop’s catch phrase? Every fish has a story.
“In a lot of fish and chip shops you walk in and order fish, but you don’t actually know what you are getting,” Renae Tobin says.
“The idea here is that when you walk into our shop, you know exactly what species you are buying and the story behind it – how it’s been caught, where it has been caught, and who has caught it.”
Dive Deeper - Elliot Tobin
Elliot Tobin and his father defy the typical image of commercial fishermen.
Their approach is far from traditional, relying on a small boat, hand lines, and frozen pilchards for a simple, selective, and sustainable catch.
Ocean Insights: Social license
After a marathon three-and-a-half-year pursuit, Australian Ocean King Prawn Company earned the coveted Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. This independent, science-based stamp of approval celebrates sustainable practices.
"It's not just a badge, it's a commitment," says Company Manager Stephen Murphy.
“Now we can say that we were reviewed and watched over by a body independent of government, and they are happy with our fishing practices and see them as sustainable.”
Dive Deeper - Bart Butson
Bart Butson has spent his entire life fishing, with a dedication to promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting marine ecosystems.
His dream is for future generations to enjoy the same abundance of sea life that he has experienced.
Dive Deeper - Tracy Hill
Tracy Hill of Coorong Wild Seafood hopes to spread awareness of her husband's love for the ocean and his commitment to ensuring its health and the sustainability of its fish stocks.
Dive Deeper - Glen Hill
For Glen Hill of Coorong Wild Seafood, the debate around overfishing is very simple:
“If the environment is doing well, the fish are doing well, so we are doing well – so why would [fishers] want it any other way?”
Listen to Glen’s explanation of how overfishing is a myth.
Take a deep dive into Commercial wild catch
Take a deep dive: Socio-economic
Take a deep dive: Commercial wild catch fishing
