The fish are big down Apollo Bay way, thriving in the cool, clean waters between the Otway rainforest and the islands of Tasmania. There’s been a fishing fleet harboured in this little fishing village, 200km southwest of Melbourne, for over a century. Many of the fishermen formed a co-operative in 1948. Southern rock lobsters are one of the big businesses for them: they’re caught in pots, baited traps that lobsters crawl into before being hauled ashore. The season runs from November 15 to September 15 each year.
The Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op also owns its own fishing boat, The Tambo Bay, which runs two- to three nights a week. It targets table fish such as flathead but also catches delicious but lesser-loved species such as gurnard and flounder. Another popular species caught off Apollo Bay is gummy shark, which is sold as flake, while the Bass Strait scallops landed at Apollo Bay are known for their plump, firm flesh.
A lot of the fish are processed and sold through the retail store at 18 Pascoe Street or used in the kitchen at the Co-op and sold as golden, deep-fried fish. Locals and tourists savour the freshly fried fish sold at the kiosk, perched high above the protected harbour below looking out to Otway Ranges. The rest of the catch is sent chilled to Melbourne and sold at the Melbourne Seafood Centre where is bought by fishmongers and restaurateurs.
Products: Freshly caught seafood including flathead, gummy shark, scallops and southern rock lobster.
18 Pascoe St, Apollo Bay, apollobayfishcoop.com.au, @apollobayfishcoop