Lost at Sea: The Fight to Save Australia's Fishing Families

A Legacy Born at Sea

Commercial fishing is more than just an occupation—it's a legacy, a way of life passed down through generations. My husband, Phil McAdam, was born into this legacy. His father, Arthur, his brother, Andrew, and grandfather, Arthur senior, were all fishers. The sea shaped Phil's childhood, fuelling a passion that has only strengthened over the years.

Starting Life in Debt

When Phil and I married in the 1980s, we followed the path familiar to many in the fishing industry: we took on considerable debt to purchase our fishing boat. With dreams, determination, and a family to raise, we faced constant uncertainty. There were weeks we weren't sure if we could make repayments on our boat or mortgage. Fishers like Phil sacrifice precious family moments—birthdays, school events, sporting milestones—because the sea and weather dictate their schedules.

Hard Work and Triumph

After decades of struggle and sacrifice, 2015 felt like our moment. We had established a thriving family business in Williamstown, catching and processing sardines, blue bait, white bait, and glassy. We proudly supplied wholesale bait suppliers, markets, and the general public with fresh, locally caught seafood. Our daughters joined us, learning the trade firsthand on the "Vancouver," embodying the generational legacy.

A Devastating Blow

But life's unpredictable nature, as Forrest Gump famously said, is "like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get." In 2015, our box of chocolates delivered a devastating blow: the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) informed us that by 2022 commercial fishing in Port Phillip Bay would end. Fishers were offered compensation packages, incentivised to leave early with declining payments each year. Although financially attractive, this wasn't about money for Phil. "I just want to fish," he insisted, determined to preserve our family tradition and community service.

We fought tirelessly—rallying, protesting, pleading—only to watch our multi-million-dollar business, built on generations of hard work, crumble to nothing. Our workers, crew, and family were suddenly unemployed.

Rebuilding and Resistance

We regrouped and relocated to Portland, determined to rebuild. Yet, despite the warm welcome from many locals, hostility arose from a small, vocal group. "No Netting in Portland Bay" emerged, spreading misinformation and hostility against Phil, undermining our right to provide Australians with fresh seafood.

Commercial Fishers Are Not Disposable

Recreational fishing lobbyists should not wield the power to deprive the public of fresh, wild-caught seafood. Commercial fishers are not disposable; they sustain coastal communities and feed Australian families. We abide by strict regulations and codes of conduct, ensuring responsible and sustainable fishing practices, yet are often unfairly targeted and maligned.

Lost at Sea: The Fight to Save Australia's Fishing Families Time to Speak Up

Perhaps it's time the commercial fishing community voiced its concerns louder—highlighting the unsustainable impacts recreational fishing may have, and standing up for our rights and traditions.

Save commercial fishers' rights, because without us, fresh Australian seafood will become increasingly scarce, impacting every seafood-loving consumer nationwide.

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