Welcome to the first in our series of team profiles, where we get to know the people behind Fremantle Octopus.
This is our Journey….Fisherman Profile.
Name.
Martin Paull, (Helsinki II)
How long have you been fishing for.
I have been octopus fishing for over 3 years.
Which port / wharf do you fish from.
Port Bouvard Marina , Dawesville Western Australia
What made you want to be involved in the fishing industry.
I’ve always had a passion for the ocean. When I was younger I used to go out on a commercial crayfish boat with a friend working as a deckhand and longed for a career on the water.
What does a typical day look like for you…..for example. What time do you get up. What time do you finish. How many pots would you pull in the day.
I typically get up at about 4am and start organising myself with a cup of coffee. Prepare some food and drinks. Pick up my Deckhand and head down to the marina by 5am. We try to pull (8 x 50pot lines) 400 pots and be back at the marina by 2pm. Get home and spend time with my wife and kids before heading to bed at around 8.30pm.
Whats the best thing you like about fishing.
The freedom, particularly when the weather is not too rough. I enjoy being on the water rather than working in an office or warehouse.
How important is it to have great morale amongst your crew.
We have a great relationship. I try to teach my deckhands as much as I can and in turn makes my job so much easier. We are like mates but at the same time I receive respect as their skipper.
Whats the most amazing thing you’ve seen whilst been out on the water.
It would have to be whales breaching just off the coast and dolphins chasing the boat. Love it !
Do you ever have time to reflect on the beauty and tranquillity of the ocean.
All the time, it never stops.
Are you proud that your product can end up in high end restaurants / retail outlets across Australia and the world? Where else locally have you seen our product.
We pride ourselves on supplying Fremantle Octopus with the best octopus in the world. We recognise the importance of caring for our product so that the quality and freshness is maintained. We see Fremantle Octopus at Woolworths (our local) in the entertainment section. I see the volumes on the shelf fluctuating every time I go in which tells me it must be a popular line.
What’s your favourite Octopus recipe.
Cooking sliced marinated octopus in the pan with a little olive oil. Magnificent !
Do you think that the future looks positive for the industry going forward.
Yes I do. This is my chosen career, fishing in a sustainable fishery. A lot of people have invested a lot of money in this industry and I feel that it thrives for all concerned.
