What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Nostalgic childhood memories at the Abrolhos Islands are gone forever

The Abrolhos Islands is something very unique to Geraldton, the Mid West and the tapestry of lifestyle in this part of the world. Often those involved in the fishing industry here don’t even realise how different and magical this lifestyle is — and indeed its history. The rock lobster industry has both an interesting and colourful history. In fact, today the industry has developed into one of the most technically advanced industries of its kind in the world. For instance, the fishing vessels that are used to catch the much sought after rock lobster in no way resemble the boats that were used in the early 1940s. It was around that time that brave seafaring men — many immigrants from southern Europe — spearheaded the early days, when lobsters were caught and processed to be sold as canned cray tails. I’ve seen pictures showing heaps of lobsters filling and hanging off the big round, wicker basket pots. It was a handsome bounty that by today’s standards fetched a mere fraction of the multi-million-dollar income it now brings to the local economy. In the 1970s and 1980s, my life was very much connected to lobster fishing at the Abrolhos. My dad Alf Fiorenza skippered a carrier boat for some 15 years, so fishing played a major part in my formative years. Carriers boats were multipurpose vessels. Firstly, they carried food and other provisions to fishing families at the islands and then returned to port several days later laden with bags of rock lobster for processing. In the mid-1970s, the Southern Lady was considered by many as the pride of the fleet at the southern or Pelsaert Group. It, along with several other carrier boats such as the Island Leader and the Abrolhos Enterprize, serviced all the island groups from Southern Group through to the Rat Islands, Wallabi Group and North Island. It was a bit of a prototype, being one of the first vessels of its size to have the wheelhouse situated at the middle to front of the vessel — something that was considered revolutionary at the time. Still built from wood, the Southern Lady was a beautiful vessel and became a common feature on the ocean waters off the coast of Geraldton for many years. My brother and I spent plenty of our Easter and May holidays travelling with dad to the picturesque archipelago of Southern Group and being privy to the unique lifestyle of the islands. At the time, I didn’t realise how special and privileged I was to be part of it. Dad stepped off the Southern Lady some time ago now, and in that time things have dramatically changed. Many fishermen no longer live at the islands during the year, due to changes to fishing zones and practices. Today, the size and operational performance of fishing boats has greatly impacted lifestyles. This means the special times my brother and I spent with our dad at the islands are memories we shall cherish, because they are gone forever. I believe, soon, the carrier boats will be gone forever too, ending an endearing part of our history. Peter Fiorenza hosts Sports Shed Saturday (9am to noon) and Fiorenza on Sunday (10am to noon) on Radio MAMA. He can also be heard on Radio Geraldton