Seafari Marine

23/08/2026

Farewell Sh**un 🎣

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our friend Jay, known to many in the fishing world as “Sh**un.”

Jay was a renowned fisherman who had fished up and down the WA coast and well beyond. It was only over the last several years that he started coming out with us on Seafari, but I could tell very quickly that this bloke knew how to fish.

There is an art to fishing that goes well beyond putting a line in the water. The really good fishermen learn to read the ocean — the birds, the current, the colour of the water and those little shimmers on the surface that might tell you pelagic fish are working underneath.

Jay had that eye.

One day we were about 10 miles offshore when Jay spotted a shimmer on the water and directed me towards it. Naturally, I thought Sh**un had spotted fish.

We made our way over, only to discover that his incredible fisherman’s eye had picked out a $10 note floating just beneath the surface.

It gave everyone onboard a good laugh — and I have never forgotten it.

That little story probably says more about Jay than I could. He noticed things on the ocean that most of us would simply pass by.

We were privileged to have shared some time, some fishing and plenty of laughs with him aboard Seafari.

Our sincere condolences to Jay’s family and his many friends throughout the fishing community.

Rest peacefully, Sh**un.

May the water be calm, the fish plentiful, and your eye as sharp as ever. 🎣

07/08/2026

06/08/2026

Good. Bad. Indifferent.

There is an old saying…

“There is nothing more permanent than change.”

Over the past 50 years I’ve watched the Western Australian fishing industry change time and time again.

Some changes have been difficult.
Some have been unpopular.
Some, looking back, have actually made our fisheries stronger.

The trick isn’t resisting every change.

It’s making sure the changes we make today leave something better for the next generation.

When we first designed Offside, our focus was mainly on lobster. Fishing was always going to take a back seat.

Over the past year, our thinking has evolved.

We’ve come to believe there is still an important place for professionally operated charter fishing in Western Australia. It allows people who don’t own a boat, or who simply want to experience our remarkable coastline safely, to enjoy our marine environment while operating within the same recreational rules that apply to everyone else.

So… Offside is now on her way to the painters.

Another milestone.

Another chapter.

Another reminder that life keeps moving forward.

Some people walk away from change.

Others choose to embrace it, learn from it and make the best of it.

I’m hopeful the WA fishing industry can do the same.

Because if fifty years on the ocean has taught me anything, it’s this:

Good fisheries aren’t built by standing still. They’re built by respecting the resource, learning from experience and making decisions that leave the fishery stronger than we found it.

We’re not taking bookings just yet. We’ve still got a few hurdles to clear before Offside is on the water and Farside’s future is finalised.

In the meantime, we’ll keep doing what we’ve always tried to do—adapt, stay positive and look forward to the next tide.

See you on the water.

31/07/2026

GOOD. BAD. INDIFFERENT.

I’ve spent the last few weeks reading documents from the commercial fishing industry, the Charter Review, Recfishwest and now the Parliamentary Inquiry.

The more I read, the more one thought kept coming back to me…

Are we all actually talking about the same fishery?

🎣 The Commercial Sector is talking about business certainty, quota allocation, secure access rights and making sure decisions are based on sound science.

🎣 The Charter Sector is talking about sustainable tourism, secure access, fair allocation and continuing to provide everyday West Australians with access to our incredible fishery.

🎣 The Recreational Sector is talking about rebuilding fish stocks, getting families back on the water and improving fishing opportunities.

Then there’s a fourth conversation…

🏛 Government.

Their job is to somehow balance healthy fish stocks, science, conservation, commercial livelihoods, charter tourism, recreational access, regional communities and… whether we like it or not… politics.

No easy task.

Perhaps that’s why everyone seems frustrated.

We’re all talking about the same fishery…

But we’re often having completely different conversations.

The recent Parliamentary Inquiry may be the first real opportunity in a long time for every sector to sit around the same table.

Not to decide who wins.

Not to decide who loses.

But to ask a much bigger question…

How do we build a fishery that supports healthy fish stocks while recognising the legitimate place of commercial, charter and recreational fishing?

Because the future of WA’s fisheries probably won’t be decided by who shouts the loudest…

It will be decided by those prepared to listen to the other conversations taking place around the table.

Food for thought

01/07/2026

Good… Bad… or Indifferent?

Over the past little while, we’ve been spending some time reflecting on DPIRD’s assessment of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource. It’s a document that raises some important questions, and rather than rushing to conclusions, we thought it deserved a bit of time and consideration.

One thing we can all agree on is this: we all want healthy fish stocks. Whether you’re a weekend fisho, a charter operator, a commercial fisher or someone who simply enjoys fresh local seafood, none of us wants to see these iconic species disappear.

The report highlights that recovery is taking longer than many had hoped. That’s not the news anyone wants to hear, but it’s something we should all take seriously.

What we also believe is important is recognising that every part of the fishing community is different.

As charter operators, we work within strict rules and regulations every day. Our role is about much more than taking people fishing. We introduce families, visitors and first-time anglers to the incredible experience our WA coastline has to offer, while teaching respect for the ocean and the importance of sustainable fishing.

Looking after the resource and running a successful charter business have always gone hand in hand. Without healthy fish stocks, there is no long-term future for any of us.

There will always be different opinions on the best path forward, and healthy discussion is important. But pointing fingers rarely solves complex problems. Good science, practical experience and respectful conversations are far more likely to produce lasting outcomes.

After all, the fish don’t know whether the line above them belongs to a recreational fisher, a charter operator or a commercial fisher. They simply need good management and a community prepared to play its part.

For our part, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done—operating responsibly, following the rules, putting safety first, educating our guests and appreciating every opportunity we have to share our passion for the ocean.

This is simply the first of a few reflections we’d like to share as we continue reading and thinking about the information available. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we do believe respectful conversations are how we’ll find the best way forward.

Good, bad or indifferent… we’re all custodians of this remarkable fishery.

Tight lines everyone.

28/06/2026

Good. Bad. Indifferent.

That’s probably the best way to describe where we’re at as we head into another charter fishing season.

The Good…

The 2026–27 West Coast Charter Demersal Quota Tags have now been released, meaning another season of charter fishing is one step closer. Despite all the changes over recent years, we’ll still be out there doing what we love—introducing people to the incredible fishing our WA coastline has to offer.

The Bad…

The charter sector’s annual recovery benchmark has been reduced again, from 30 tonnes to 25 tonnes, meaning fewer quota tags have been allocated across the West Coast fleet this season.

Like many operators, we’ll once again be going cap in hand to acquire additional quota from other operators so we can continue offering demersal fishing experiences throughout the season.

We know many people are frustrated with the current restrictions on demersal fishing. As charter operators, we’re still able to offer these experiences because we operate under a tightly managed quota system. Every tagged fish landed is accounted for, and the total catch across the charter sector is capped each year as part of the recovery plan.

It’s also worth noting that our passengers don’t receive any additional fishing entitlement simply because they’re on a charter boat. They still fish under the same recreational fishing rules, including bag limits, size limits and possession limits. The difference is that the charter sector also operates under an annual quota, with every landed quota species recorded and managed.

The Indifferent…

Like much in life, we can only deal with the cards we’re dealt.

We’ll continue adapting and making the most of every opportunity. Alongside our demersal fishing experiences, we’ll also be offering our popular Western Rock Lobster tours, as well as trips targeting pelagic species, whiting, squid and other seasonal fishing adventures.

We’re still waiting on two important milestones—the completion of our new vessel, Offside, and the return of Farside to the water—but one thing hasn’t changed: our passion for sharing the ocean with others.

To everyone who’s supported us through the highs and the lows, thank you. We look forward to seeing you on the water again soon.

Until next time… tight lines and safe seas. 🎣

26/06/2026

Progress Report – Offside

Terri and I head away for a few weeks, we thought we’d leave you with a quick progress update on Offside.

The photos show a boat that’s beginning to take shape, but what they don’t show are the people behind it.

This is now the second vessel Brian Simms and the team at Outlaw Boats have built for us. Across my journey I’ve been involved in building five boats, and every project has reinforced one lesson: a good boat is built with aluminium, but a great boat is built by great people.

Brian, Peta, Jake and their team are craftsmen in every sense of the word. Their attention to detail, willingness to listen and pride in their work have made this another enjoyable project. Every challenge has been met with experience, patience and a practical solution.

I also believe good workmanship is a reflection of good character. In a world that often moves too fast, it’s refreshing to work with people who still value quality, honesty and doing the job properly.

We’ll be leaving Offside in their capable hands while we’re away, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she has progressed when we return.

To Brian, Peta, Jake and everyone at Outlaw Boats, thank you. Terri and I are genuinely grateful for the care you’ve put into this build.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has continued to follow and encourage us over the past few months. Your support has never been taken for granted, and we look forward to sharing the next chapter with you all.

I’ve always believed that success isn’t measured by the boats we build, but by the relationships we build along the way.

See you all in a few weeks.

20/06/2026

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place…”

The boat took it a little too literally.

Good. Bad. Indifferent.

“Let’s Go Girls…”

Well… after a few months in the bunker, I suppose it’s time to come out.

No, we haven’t been hiding… although there were days when it might have looked that way!

We’ve simply been doing what most small family businesses do when life throws them a curve ball—rolling up our sleeves, sorting through the mess, making a plan and putting one foot in front of the other.

If you’ve followed Seafari Marine over the years, you’ll know our page usually celebrates the good.

Kids holding their first big fish.

Families making memories together.

Sunrises over the Indian Ocean.

The excitement of someone catching a fish they’ll be talking about for years.

That’s why we do what we do.

But life on the ocean has a habit of reminding you that it isn’t always sunshine and calm seas.

A little while ago our beloved Farside broke free from her mooring and ended up exactly where no skipper ever wants to see their boat…

Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Seeing her there was heartbreaking.

But this story isn’t really about a boat.

It’s about character.

Within a short time, experienced hands came together. Family, friends and people who understood the sea simply got on with the job.

There were no cameras.

No fuss.

Just people doing what needed to be done.

Drawing on decades of experience working on this coastline, we recovered Farside safely and, with more than 1,000 litres of fuel still onboard, prevented what could easily have become a serious environmental incident.

That is something we’re incredibly proud of.

Not because we saved a boat.

Because we protected the coastline that has provided our livelihood and our way of life for so many years.

Over the last forty-plus years we’ve seen plenty.

Fisheries have changed.

The rules have changed.

The way we do business has changed.

At times it has genuinely felt like our industry has been caught between a rock and a hard place too.

Some decisions have been easy to understand.

Others have been much harder.

But one thing experience teaches you is that spending your energy complaining rarely gets you anywhere.

Getting on with the job does.

We are fortunate to still be operating under our FTOL licence and we’ll continue to work within the fisheries rules, respect the resource and do our part to ensure future generations can enjoy what we have been lucky enough to experience.

Most importantly, we’ll keep creating memories.

Those smiling kids holding fish.

Families sharing a day together.

Friends who arrive as strangers and leave with stories they’ll tell for years.

Because in the end…

The good deserves celebrating.

The bad teaches us resilience.

And the indifferent reminds us that tomorrow the tide will rise again, the wind will change, and another opportunity will come.

To everyone who has supported us, checked in on us, lent a hand, or simply waited patiently…

Thank you.

We genuinely appreciate it.

As for Farside…

She’ll be back.

And so will we.

See you on the water.

The ocean doesn’t owe us a living. It simply offers us an opportunity. What we do with that opportunity defines us.

— Steve & Terri
Seafari Marine

16/04/2026