WHALING
1927 Norwegian Company operations existed at Point Cloates in WA (On the Ningaloo coastline)
1928 Commonwealth Government decided to terminate non-Australian involvement in land-based whaling operations on Australian soil and bought out the Norwegian concern. Plummeting prices on world markets forced a closure during the same year, a closure which remained in force until 1949.
1949 Company by the name of R. Moore & Son bought the whaling station and its plant at Point Cloates from the Government and resurrected them out of the sand. Also purchased and refitted two ex Naval Patrol boats which, under extremely difficult and isolated conditions, took 194 whales in the first season. Production 950 tons oil.
In the same year construction of a new whaling facility commenced at Babbage Island Carnarvon, by the Commonwealth Whaling Commission. Despite strong opposition from the State Government and the community, the Government reconstructed some accommodation units (that had been shipped up by road from the Cunderdin RAAF base) on the Babbage Island Site. With the assistance of a party of 40 Norweigians who resided on site, they constructed what was purported to be the most modern land based whale processing plant of its kind in the world. A jetty 240 yards in length was built and an RAAF hanger (also from the Cunderdin base) was transformed into the flensing deck. Most of the buildings are still in use and a section of the original jetty remains today.
1950 Trials began in September 1950 when 40 whales were taken and processed by the Commission’s three whale chasers, Minilya, Gascoyne and Carnarvon.
NOR-WEST WHALING
1951 The Point Cloates operation became a public company and was re-named NOR-WEST WHALING COMPANY. It Improved its operation and took 347 whales. Production 2500 tons oil, 1818 tons meal.
1951 Took 567 whales, all humpbacks. Production 4166 tons oil, 800 tons meal.
1955 Last season operated at Point Cloates, 500 Whales caught. Quota cut from 600 – 500 whales. Full quota caught. Production 4162 tons oil, 1187 tons meal.
1956 Nor-West Whaling, Point Cloates purchased the operation at Babbage Island in Carnarvon from Australian Whaling Commission, Commonwealth Government owned and operated. Purchased for 990,000 pounds and paid off in 3 years. All plant transferred to Carnarvon, Babbage Island. Very modern plant, most up to date land based Whaling company in the world. Quota of 500 Whales from Pt Cloates and 500 from Carnarvon. Caught 1020, with 20 from Albany quota not caught. Babbage Island was a post war venture by Commonwealth Government and because of public opinion was offered for sale to private industry. There was a lot of controversy in Parliament and the press about the sale and price. Carnarvon now had a fleet of six whaling vessels: (Vigilant, Haeramia Star, Norwegian Bay, Point Cloates, Manilya and Gascoyne). Whaling was a huge world wise business with excellent markets and high stable prices. Whale oil was being poured into industries in the United Kingdom and Holland while whale meal and its by products became a substantial part of Australian stock and poultry foods.
Products were: Whale Oil sold to UK and Holland
Meat Meal and Soluble sold to the Australian Market only.
Excellent markets and good prices because of shortages during the war and venture prospered : 20% per annum paid in shares.
1957 Two single rigged prawn trawlers commenced prawn operations in Shark Bay – moderate catches and spasmodic efforts with venture winding itself up within the year. Whaling still booming with quotas easily filled.
1960 First indications that the numbers of whales were declining. Quotas of 500 each from Point Cloates and Carnarvon not fulfilled.
COMMENCEMENT OF PRAWN TRAWLING IN SHARK BAY
1962 Catches of whales dropped dramatically. Vessels fished almost exclusively outside Shark Bay, travelled further, worked harder and cost more to operate. Due to decreased production, plant expenses rose. Whale industry income nose-dived while costs soared and it became obvious that the future of whaling in Nor-West Australia was quickly drawing to a close. Nor-West Whaling company decided to venture in a different direction and built two prawn trawlers and commenced prawning operations same year. First 2 boats in the fleet – Nor 1 and Nor II. (Photos still on the walls in the Carnarvon Office).
1963 Commercial fishing for Prawns, commenced with 4 vessels operating – only 2 belonged to local company Nor-West Whaling. The discovery of large quantities of small prawns in the Southern Sections of the embayment also resulted in a request to permanently close these prawn nursery areas to fishing.
Due to the interest developed for prawns in Shark Bay, the Minister for Fisheries announced restrictions in July and October 1962 and proclaimed that the limited entry management system would be introduced to prawns in 1963 and the number of vessels permitted to operate in the fishery would be set at 25.
1963 After completing one month of the scheduled three-month season and with only 49 whales over the flensing deck, in July the decision was taken to cease whaling operations in Carnarvon.
The Whaling Factory was converted into a Prawn processing plant, prawn vessels were unloaded at the existing prawn jetty and product was transferred from the Jetty in cages to the Factory by train.
Another four steel prawn trawlers were built and operated in Shark Bay. Fleet now included Nor 1, Nor II, Nor III, Nor IV, Nor V, to fish for prawns. Nor VI was lost on the way to Carnarvon with 3 lives lost. Skipper – Jack Dryan lost for 8 days floating on ice box. Made raft and paddles out of parts of ice box and paddled ashore at South Passage where he was picked up by a crayfishing vessel.
1964 Several Prawning boats from Queensland were chartered for the season only and returned to Queensland at the end of the season by Nor-West Whaling. Vessels numbers in Shark Bay had increased to 30. Access was restricted to a 3-year period.
1965 R Moore & Sons (Nor West Whaling) interest was taken over by EMS Planet Fisheries, a subsidiary of the English owned Angliss Group of companies who had been operating another small prawning venture in Denham for a year. Since that time the fishery has developed into a major industry in Western Australia.
1966 Reviews of the fishery continued to support retention of a 3 year licence period (triennium), but did not support a further increase in vessel numbers. Dillingham Shipyards in Fremantle commenced construction of a number of Steel Hull – 64ft vessels to join Nor-west Fleet. 5 NW ‘River Class’ vessels commissioned between 1967-69. Fleet continued to grow.
1971 2 licenses granted: 32 vessels now prawning.
1972 Nor-West Whaling bought 9 prawn trawlers from Tipperary Land Corporation that was based in Darwin. The boats came back to Fremantle for a refit and the 3 x 60ft vessels, St Criq, Bolanger and Inscription were added to the Carnarvon Fleet. 4 x 64 foot vessels and 2 x 77 foot vessels together with the NW Ronsard out of the existing Carnarvon fleet were sent to fish in the Northern Territory for the 1973 season. 18 vessels were owned by Nor-West Whaling.
At this time, Angliss also purchased Penpack Ocean Products processing factory in Cairns together with the dry dock and a 146ft Mother Ship, Sumatra, to increase their prawning interest in Australia.
1975 3 more licenses granted: 35 vessels prawning. 20 vessels were owned by Nor-West Whaling.
1978 Introduction of the Extended Nursery Area (ENA). 18 Vessels fishing for Nor-West Whaling.
1979 The triennium review process lapses. Authorization became perpetual. Nor-West Whaling now had 18 fully refrigerated vessels fishing for prawns. Taking some 1,000 tonnes of prawns per season and was a major supplier on world prawn markets, especially to Japan.
1981 26 vessels enter Shark Bay targeting Scallops (21 vessels – Nor-west Whaling)
1983 Shark Bay Limited entry Scallop fishery established with 14 Class A licenses (scallop vessels only) and 35 class B licenses (Prawn Vessels). Nor-West Whaling introduced the first wooden hull scallop trawler to the fleet – ‘Slaven’ operating under A Class licence, Prawn Vessels hold B Class Scallop Licenses. Nor 1 & Nor 11 finish their fishing lives as Prawn Trawlers in Shark Bay.
NOR-WEST SEAFOODS
1984 – None of the original “Nor’ boats (6) are now fishing. Nor-West Whaling underwent a name change to Nor-West Seafoods. The Angliss venture in Cairns winds up after the catches in the gulf declined. Vessels and Plant sold off, some of the larger vessels, Cape Conway, Cape Grafton are transferred to the Carnarvon fleet.
1986 Factory processing plant operates two shifts to maintain processing enough product for export and local market. 150 employees engaged at the Babbage Island Factory processing both Prawns/Scallops. Japan is a major export market. All product delivered is in 12 kilo ctns, Kings & Tigers delivered ROC and processed at factory. Factory processes product – blackspot, S&B Prawns are removed and go through Laitram for peeling, All kings are headed, Tigers graded U10,U15,U20, 20/30 and sold whole (mainly Japan). Scallop meat is defrosted sorted, graded and IQF, packaged 2kg bags for Export and local markets. By Catch is not considered important to a vessel’s catch and the small amount taken by the fleet suits the local market of the time.
Cyclone Herbie hits Shark Bay 4am May 21st with no warning to vessels/township. Severe damage to some vessels while at sea but no lives lost in Shark Bay Waters.
1987 Moon closures introduced (5-7 days over the full moon). Fishing was continual prior with most vessels only being permitted one night off from fishing when unloading.
Nor-West Seafoods had 21 Prawn Trawlers fishing Shark Bay, 1 Scallop Vessel and 5 Prawn Trawlers fishing in the Exmouth Gulf.
1989 Industry and Government examined the value of introducing a licence buyback scheme.
Hong Kong is major purchaser of Scallops. Majority of prawns were sold to Japan markets.
1990 8 licenses acquired and removed from the fishery under a voluntary agreement, at a total cost of $9.6 million ($1.2m per vessel). The full cost was to be met by industry through an annual levy on the remaining vessel licenses over a 15 year period.
Nor-West Seafoods build and re-locate their Main Office, Netshed, Engineering, 100 tonne cold Store Facility and all trawlers move to new mooring at land backed wharf on Lot A,B,C & E, Boat Harbour Road. The Factory remains operational at Babbage island along with Accommodation Complex for workers.
Shark Bay is listed as a World Heritage area in 1990.
1991 First Female Skipper to be endorsed as Master of NW Koks – completed 4 seasons.
Record scallop season – 2,500 tonnes delivered from Shark Bay.
1992 Topped 1991 scallop season by delivering 4,000 tonnes from Shark Bay
1993 Export Market continues to grow, Spain, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, UK, France, Singapore and Indonesia.
Vessels are all steel hulled, twin rigged, refrigerated and airconditioned. Most equipment such as main and auxiliary engines, compressors, alternators and electronics are standard to allow for ease of maintenance. Navigation, radars and global positioning systems, radio communications form part of all vessels. Nets are rebuilt/some manufactured on site. Netshed operates full time to upkeep repairs/rebuilds for season.
Vessels continue to fish in Exmouth Gulf until the sale of Nor-west Seafoods to Australian owned company, Tennereef Pty Ltd (Kelvin Brown) in Dec 1993. Nor-West Seafood fleet decreases to 18 Prawn Trawlers. Wooden Hull, Slaven is replaced by Cape Conway (scallop vessel) and sold off.
1994 Fleet decreases further, 15 prawn trawlers but has increased scallop Fleet, 4 Class A licenses
1995 Scallop Fleet increases to 5 Class A vessels. 15 Prawn Trawlers
1996 Tiger Spawning Area (TPSA) closure implemented.
1997 NW Louisa Bay & NW Herald Bay are the first of 4 new Trawlers built by Tenix Shipbuilding, Fremantle. Steel Hull, 22 mt vessels incorporating the latest technology available. Commence Fishing 1997
1998 NW Henri Freycinet & NW Shark Bay are built by Tenix Shipbuilding, Fremantle. Steel Hull, 22mt vessels. Commence fishing 1998. These are the last boats built by Norwest Seafoods.
1998 Torbay line implemented in Denham Sound (March/April to control take of small prawns).
Carnarvon Experimental Crab Trap Fishery (CECTEF) established.
2000 Prawns/Scallops are being packed in 10kg ctns on vessels, Prawns roughly graded U10, U15,U20 & 20/30 & S&B, thawed, Blackspot removed, S&B went to Factory Laitram for peeling, some product is cooked on factory site. By product species includes Coral, squid, bugs, crab.
2002 By-catch reduction devices implemented in fleet – eliminates the catching of turtles or other species other than prawns/scallops in nets.
2003 NW Fitzroy destroyed by fire while at sea. Skipper and crew survive. Vessel is replaced by NW Boullanger following year.
2004 Snapper Trawl Closure Area established in Denham Sound.
2005 4 vessels trialed Quad Gear (fleet reduced for the bay from 27 to 25). CECTEF moved to interim managed fishery. Nor-West Seafoods now has 13 prawn trawlers and 5 scallop Class A vessels.
2006 5 vessels trialed quad gear – Successful trials completed.
2007 Norwest Seafoods further reduce the fleet to 10 prawn vessels – 5 scallops class A vessels. Vessels removed from fleet in downsize are now being sold off. Headrope from 13 trawlers now being spread across 10 prawn vessels – more efficient/cost effective.
3 ‘Bluff’ Boats purchased from Darwin to replace existing vessels. Titan (renamed NW Levillian), Tarni (renamed NW Carnarvon 11), Invincible (renamed Cape Inscription). Commence fishing 2007 season.
2010 Last year fished by Nor-West Seafood scallop trawlers. 5 Licenses & vessels sold. Vessels remaining – 10 prawn trawlers all running Quad gear.
Carnarvon Townsite Floods Dec 19, 2010 – flushes Wooramel Banks for 2 consecutive periods prior to commencement of 2011 season.
2011 A further 9 licenses removed from fishery under voluntary industry funded buyback. First year Norwest Seafoods Catch was above 1,000 tonne for fleet since 2005. Last scallop season until 2015.
2012 No scallop season – Numbers do not meet catch criteria and season cancelled until 2015.
2013 Packaging on vessels change. 5 kg King ctns introduced, product grades increase to include 30+, P1 & P2. Tigers still packaged and graded in 10kg ctns.
Lost our oldest Skipper, John Mazurak just after season completion and 4 days after he was awarded the prestigious ‘Top Dog” Award for 2013. John was known as the grandfather of the fleet having fished for 38 years in Shark Bay with Nor West. He closed his eyes, went to sleep and never woke up.
2014 Last full year of production at Nor-West Seafoods factory. Packaging and processing commenced on vessels – all prawns 5kg ctns. Direct from Boat to Market.
2015 Factory operates on skeleton staff in 2015 and is used only as a storage facility and minimal processing. All S&B is processed through Laitram to produce prawn meat and product processed for local orders only. More By Product species introduced to vessels, can now take whiting, flathead, mantis shrimp, cuttlefish. Factory does not re-open again to process.
Limited Scallop Season re-opens with a 16,666 kg quota. CDRs (Catch Disposal Record) introduced along with the same for a historical Crab Quota system (86,500kgs per season for fleet).
MARETERRAM
Nor-West Seafoods is officially sold to Mareterram (ASX listed company) on 18TH December, 2015 operating the same 10 prawn trawlers in NW Shark Bay and continues to trade as Nor-West Seafoods.
2017 Invincible II purchased March 17 to replace existing prawn vessel.
2018 A Mackerel Vessel/Licence is purchased by Mareterram and commences fishing Kimberley and Pilbara regions. Olivia is added to the fleet.
SEA HARVEST FISHING COMPANY PTY LTD
2019 Mareterram is sold to major Shareholder, Sea Harvest Fishing Company Pty Ltd – 1st July, 2019.
2020 Invincible II undergoes major refit and reconstruction in Carnarvon and later in Fremantle. Returns to join the fleet for fishing in 2020. NW Heirisson is decommissioned until Aug 2020 when it re-commences under a Mackerel Licence – fishing Gascoyne & Pilbara zones.
Stella VII purchased by Sea Harvest Fishing Company and transported from Qld to Fremantle to undergo major refit for Mackerel Fishing. Will commence fishing 2021.
2 Prawn Trawlers fish Kimberley Prawn Fishery in Aug/Sept as trial to that Fishery.
Shortest Prawn Season on record – 121 days fishing.