History

Commercial fishing has been described as the most dangerous profession on Earth. It has a long and rich history in Western Australia, dating back to the early 1800s.

Throughout this time, the industry has played a significant role in the state's economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local and national food supply and to the regional development of most of our coastal towns.

Providing fresh seafood for our local communities has come at a considerable cost. There have been more than 350 documented lives lost to Commercial Fishing off WA, with many more lost to Pearling endeavours in our State’s far north.

There are many more tragedies waiting to be discovered, to resurrect the meaning of their life, and to tell the story of Western Australia’s ocean going people.

These stories tell the genesis of our fishing community, and our nation building endeavours. They are stories of loss and tragedy, of grief and sacrifice and of life and love. They are stories of resilience, of heroism and survival, and of hardship and mateship. And they are stories of enterprising stewardship and ambition to explore and go further.

They are ultimately the history of who we are, and what makes us uniquely human.