FISHING INDUSTRY
With direct access to rich offshore fishing grounds one of Australia’s largest fishing fleets safely harbours in the Port of Lakes Entrance. And Mallacoota in the far east is the base for a thriving abalone industry. Fish catches are supplied direct to markets in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as internationally, and sustain a strong local seafood focus to tourism within the region.
The thriving multi-million dollar East Gippsland fishing industry is the largest employer of this sector in regional Victoria. Well over 80 species of fish are caught, including flathead, school whiting, trevally, shark, orange roughy and blue grenadier, together with abalone, scallop, prawn and crayfish.
The fishing industry presents genuine opportunities for marine-related businesses to flourish. Fish processing and the provision of goods and services to the fleet provide viable business options as demonstrated by the successful Lakes Entrance Fishing Co operative Ltd (LEFCOL). LEFCOL not only processes and transports fish for the markets, but operates a retail outlet and chandlery in Lakes Entrance. LEFCOL services between 80 to100 vessels and handles approximately 4.5 million kilos of fish annually. It has 2 blast freeze tunnels with 32 tonne capacity and a large holding room with product capacity of 100 tonnes. Opportunities still exist for heavy and light industry support to the fleet, including in the areas of computerized communications, fish detection and navigation systems.
An example of a successful commercial seafood enterprise is the abalone industry in Mallacoota situated in the far east of the region. Here a local co-operative with a staff of over 30 is strategically sited close to the product source. 21 licence holders sell their catch through the co-operative with the entire community receiving ongoing benefits. This multi-million dollar industry processes locally harvested abalone for the lucrative export industry and with excellent highway links to Melbourne and Sydney transportation is viable and efficient.
Aquaculture is an opportunity not to be missed with demand for seafood growing daily in all major markets. East Gippsland is perfectly placed to embrace an expansion in aquaculture and provides a pristine environment, abundance of suitable land and ample support from a mature fishing service industry.
Further information is available from the East Gippsland Shire Economic Development Unit (see the link below) to assist you obtain the best results from your investment. Lets us help you grow your fishing industry business in East Gippsland.
Contact the East Gippsland
Economic Development Unit 
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