Western Australian Fishing Industry Council

25/08/2026

Meet one of WA’s most underrated local catches, the Australian Mullet.

You’ll find mullet in our estuaries and coastal waters, and while it might not always get the same attention as other seafood, it’s well worth adding to your plate. It’s nutritious, versatile and delicious grilled, smoked or pan-fried.

Sea Mullet makes up most of WA’s catch, with Yelloweye Mullet also found throughout our southern estuaries.

Swipe through to learn more about this delicious local fish.

20/08/2026

Last week, WAFIC’s Research and Policy Officer Rob was in Geraldton for a range of meetings with industry.

A common theme from fishers across the sessions was the need for fisheries science to be more timely and collaborative, particularly when it comes to supporting adaptive management.

WAFIC is pushing for fisheries management to better connect the science with what commercial fishers are seeing on the water, helping address the growing gap between the two.

17/08/2026

Marine Park Review: Make Your Voice Count

SIA is seeking input from commercial fishing businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed changes to the Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks.

Join us on 21 August at 11 am AEST for a short webinar to hear what the proposals could mean for industry, what feedback SIA is seeking and how you can contribute.

👉 Register now and have your say.
🗓️ 21 August
🕰️ 11 am AEST
🔗 Register: 893f77ff-8bf1-48eb-861c-38fea4038e6c@58656cb7-fcab-42ab-b30b-0cf37ca9a424?source=copyLinkOneEventsShareDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/893f77ff-8bf1-48eb-861c-38fea4038e6c@58656cb7-fcab-42ab-b30b-0cf37ca9a424?source=copyLinkOneEventsShareDialog

SIA’s consultation will inform our response to two related proposals currently open for public comment:

☑️ Proposal to prepare six draft management plans for 44 Australian Marine Parks
☑️ Proposal to proclaim changes to Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks

We need real examples and evidence from affected businesses to strengthen our collective response.

Submissions to the Department close at 4 pm AEST, 30 September 2026, via its Have Your Say platform.

14/08/2026

The Australian Herring is nutritious, affordable and sustainably caught right here in Southern WA.

Swipe through to learn a little more about this often-overlooked local fish, from how it's caught to it's many health benefits.

Looking for an easy way to try Herring? Keep an eye out for Albany Herring's crumbed fillets from Albany Seafoods.

10/08/2026

A great night with great people celebrating WA seafood. 🐟 Take a look through the gallery from the 2026 WA Seafood Industry Awards and relive some of the highlights.

https://www.wafic.org.au/news/2026-wa-seafood-industry-awards-gallery/

10/08/2026

05/08/2026

Very proud of you Trenton, what an achievement!

Ocean and Paddock was judged and awarded "The Best Take-Away Fish and Chips in Australia" at the National Seafood Awards.
It's a testament to the Great Southern Region and the incredible food destination it's become.

This is an absolute reflection of the wonderful staff we are so fortununate to have as part of the Ocean and Paddock Family.

To our customers, you are more than customers, you are part of our Ocean and Paddock Family.

I'd like to sincerely thank our suppliers, Grande Food Service , York Street IGA, Bendotti Exporters (Manjimup Chips), but most importantly Great Southern Seafoods , without whose support and tireless pursuit of the best seafood the Great Southern has to offer, this would not have been possible.

And most of all I have to thank the fishermen who sustainably fish the waters of the Great Southern Region to bring us the best fish in Australia.

A Big Thank You from Trenton and The Team

Thank-you to Seafood Industry Australia for a terrific event and
Western Australian Fishing Industry Council for their continuous support. Also thank-you to the award sponsor, Great Australian Seafood.

Ocean and Paddock
116 Middleton Rd, Middleton Beach Western Australia 6330

04/08/2026

Congrats John, very well deserved!

SIA proudly celebrates John Sharland’s induction into the National Seafood Industry Hall of Fame.

John left school to become a commercial fisherman before spending decades learning every link in the seafood supply chain — including a stint as a delivery driver to better understand the industry from the customer’s perspective.

That experience became the foundation of Endeavour Foods, the Western Australian business John built on a simple but powerful idea: that everyone in the supply chain deserves respect, reliability and strong partnerships.

Through his vision, dedication and commitment to service, John has made an extraordinary contribution to Australia’s seafood industry.

Congratulations, John, on this well-deserved recognition and your induction into the National Seafood Industry Hall of Fame. 👏🌊

03/08/2026

We know this comes at a challenging time for our industry, but it's important you're aware of it. Public consultation is now open on the future management of Australia's Marine Parks, including the North-west and South-west networks that cover WA waters.

If you fish, work or spend time on the water in these areas, now is the time to have your say. Local knowledge is invaluable, and this is your opportunity to help shape how these marine parks are managed into the future.

The consultation covers:
• Six draft management plans for 44 Australian Marine Parks, including the North, North-west, South-west and Temperate East networks, the Coral Sea, and a new standalone plan for Norfolk Marine Park.
• Proposed boundary changes to the Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks.

Submissions close at 4.00 pm AEST on 30 September 2026.

You can make a submission through the Department's Have Your Say platform:
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/

Relevant consultations:
🔹 Six draft management plans for 44 Australian Marine Parks:
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/six-draft-mgt-plans-for-44-australian-marine-parks

🔹 Proposed changes to the Norfolk, Lord Howe and Gifford Marine Parks:
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/proposed-changes-to-norfolk-park-lord-howe-and-gifford-marine-parks

In announcing the consultation, Environment Minister Murray Watt said the review is intended to update the 2018 management plans using the latest science and the findings of independent evaluations, while giving stakeholders the opportunity to help shape how Australia's marine parks are managed into the future.
Those reviews, along with information on alternative submission methods, are available here:
https://australianmarineparks.gov.au/management/consultations-reviews/review-2018-australian-marine-park-management-plans/

Read the full press conference here:
https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/transcripts/press-conference-sydney-1

WAFIC will be preparing a submission on behalf of the commercial fishing industry. If there are issues, local knowledge or concerns you'd like us to consider, we'd like to hear from you.

Questions about the consultation process can be directed to: [email protected]

29/07/2026

While most of Perth is still asleep, Jim Mendolia is already on the water.

For decades, Jim has been leaving Fremantle at 2am to fish for sardines, following in the footsteps of his father before him. A second-generation Sicilian fisherman, it's a routine that's barely changed.

This old ‘Food Safari’ clip from the early 2000s captures a day in Jim's life. The boats might look a little different today, but the early starts, hard work and pride in bringing fresh local seafood home are all much the same.

It's also a reminder that our local sardine fishery is carefully managed under strict sustainability rules, so future generations can keep doing what families like Jim's have done for years.

Next time you see WA sardines at your local fish shop, spare a thought for the people who've already put in a full day's work before the sun comes up. 🌅🎣