OUR COMMUNITY.
A DAY (OR A NIGHT) IN THE LIFE OF A TRAWLERMAN
A good, clean haul of bay prawns, after a 30 minute 'shot'. Tidy it up, throw back the sidecatch, scoop the rest up with buckets. You can never tell though; sometimes it’s not prawns, sometimes a big bag of jellies… “They really sting – you have to wear long-sleeves to clear them away,” Joey. Then shoot the gear away again – in the hope of a better catch.
Sunday afternoon, 4pm (ish), heading out under the bridge and away. While the trawler is steaming along, there is gear to get ready for the night’s work – checking the nets and repairing any holes from the last trawl, laying the nets flat on the deck, ready to throw in. “I’ve been trawling since I was 14, I’ve been in this marina since they made it,” Red. A long night ahead – looking to come back in about 7am tomorrow. Checking the instruments and sounders – looking for 'signs of life' on the floor of the ocean. Keeping a check on instruments is also about safety - it’s important to be vigilant. Changes in speed can be often heard in the engine – a change in pitch can mean a hook-up with an obstacle on the ocean floor or some other looming disaster, so you have to act fast – reduce revs; winch the nets– now! “Things can get bad really quickly, you have to always listen to the engine,” Joey. After a recent heavy rain, when the lagoons broke through on the island; heading north offshore from Bribie, where you can see the brackish water on the left, the clear oceanic waters on your right. “You don’t just use the sounder to find prawns, you also look for brackish water and other signs,” Joey. Right where the waters meet, following the line – that’s where the prawns will be. Throwing the nets and ready to shoot away! Now, it’s all about making sure there are no tangles or twists in the nets, no hook-ups on the chains or boards. “At that point, it’s all about safety and making sure your gear is set up for the big haul,” Brendon. Lots of company out here; the terns are waiting on the nets to be winched up. Small fish fall out as the net is lifted and swim away, unless a tern gets to it first. Dolphins are always following the boat, too – as well as sharks! Moreton Bay is a big area, but the prawns are often in one spottrawlers side by side or near each other, so you have to keep watch! Most trawlermen talk between boats – especially about their catches; some boats keep to themselves. 24
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Between each shot, hose the deck down with salt-water, to clean it off. Wash the surfaces, check all the gear is in the right places, then sort the prawns into size. “I feel good seeing this photo – I feel competent and useful. This is my first season – I think it’s a good opportunity for a young person like me. I like being out on the water, looking out over the horizon. I feel safe being on the boat with Bruce – he will know how to fix any problem,” Isaac. Cooking all through the night – as each catch comes in. 3-5 minutes for a 10kg basket of prawns. Then cool them off in the swim tank, before tipping them into the icebox, to really chill them down in a salty brine. “There are some beautiful times of day sunset, sunrise… it’s always a little relief to see sunrise – the hard parts are over and it’s peaceful, coming back in,” Joey. Coming back under the bridge – time to fold the trawling arms to an exact point, not too tall, not too wide. Aim for the centre of the bridge. Never assume anything – wind, tide, other boaters – it’s never the same as last time. “It’s the most cautious time of the day – I usually 'crab' under the bridge, even on a calm day – always wary,” Joey. Arms up, nets stowed, welcome home ... the customers are waiting at the dock! Pull out the bagged up prawns, ready to weigh up in buckets and sell to the hungry crowd. Then clean up, go home and sleep – ready to do it all again. “I like working at night and sleeping all day. I’m a bit of a night owl,” Isaac. Bribie Island has some of the tastiest, freshest prawns you’ll ever eat. Look up Red and Joey’s Trawler, so you know the right time to get to Spinnaker Sound Marina to meet the trawlermen or try 'catching' a few yourself at Savige’s Seafood or at Aussie Meats and Seafoods – it’s all great quality and locally caught, thanks to the hard work of Bribie’s trawlermen! Robyn Tomkins, Bribie Island Boat Charters.
