Gill fishing for summer season

Since the late 1980s, this history has also included a retail shop at Port Victoria to value-add to the family business.

Today, the third generation steers the ship – commercial fisherwoman Shannon Gill and sister Amanda Wheeler, who manages the retail and marketing side of the business.

Their parents June and David Gill still get their hands wet on the boat from time to time and help in the retail shop, while Ms Wheeler’s husband Wade is also out on the water and processes fish for the shop.

“The family really is integrated into the business,” Ms Wheeler said. “We catch the fish, value-add to it, on-sell and sometimes buy in from other fishers.”

No time is busier for the business than the period between Christmas and Easter, when the majority of their retail earnings are made.

“Barbecuing has become increasingly popular at Christmas, rather than the sit-down hot meal, and a big snapper on the barbecue with a few beverages is a crowd-pleaser,” she said.

“Crayfish, prawns and oysters are also top sellers for the table, along with fish, such as King George whiting and garfish.

“Pickled and smoked fish are also popular for platters.”

They encourage people to get their orders in early.

“Particularly this year, as the prawn fleet only had two runs prior to Christmas because of the moon phase, when normally they get three,” Ms Wheeler said.