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Explore the narrative of one of our Seafood Heroes, Bruno. An esteemed fisherman boasting nearly five decades of commercial fishing experience, this video sees Bruno recount his journey from the days of primary school predictions to a life dedicated to the Clarence River. Positioned at the heart of the local community's fishing heritage, Bruno's tale sums up the very essence of what it is to be a commercial fisher on the Clarence River.
Bruno commences his day at 4:00AM, skilfully surveying the water’s edge to pinpoint schools of Mullet swimming through. In an orchestrated team process, he coordinates with fellow fishermen to strategically positioning themselves to procure the catch. This takes place across the river in knee- and waist-deep waters. These fishers are careful to ensure the upmost care and preservation of the quality of the fish.
As time passed and we spoke more with Bruno, he highlights a positive transformation in recent years. Bruno notes that the Whiting season of recent resulted in lower yields than usual, however his almost 50 years of experience tells him that floods are behind this drop in supply, and bounce back will occur sooner rather than later. He notes that the growing populations of Jewfish and Bream populations underscore the resilience of the ecosystem, and attributes the success of fish stocks improving year on year to the community's collective adherence to fisheries rules, quota management principles, and sustainable practices.
With an impressive 48 years spent on the Clarence, Bruno's life's work echoes a commitment to conservation and sustainable fishing practices, as well as a passion for providing opportunities, knowledge, and guidance to future generations of local fishers.
