Heritage show for sea fest

Our coastal town’s proud maritime heritage and fishing industries will be on show at the Festival of the Sea on Saturday.

The annual festival hosted by the Albany Maritime Foundation at the Albany Boatshed gives a true taste of what the ocean has to offer.

Organiser Jenny Rickeby said the AMF was keeping local history alive through an educational and engaging event that had something for everyone. “We are hoping people will become more aware of the benefits of buying local fish and support our local fishermen,” she said.

“Also, endeavouring to keep our rich history of nautical life, work and transport alive for our community and into the future.

“As time goes by, history does disappear unless a concerted effort is made to keep it alive.

“It is also important to record what is happening now as it too soon becomes history.”

She said the fishing industry was crucial for the city and often undervalued.

“There is the wild caught species which have many large sea-going fishing vessels employed as well as small estuarine fish and their smaller boats and, of course, the beach fishing, including salmon and herring,” she said.

“Aquaculture is also big with oysters and mussels.

“Then the infrastructure to support those fishermen’s catch — the processors and retailers.

“Of course on top of that there is the manufacturing of boats and servicing them and all the fishing gear.”

The event coincides with the Albany International Folk and Shanty Festival.

The popular build-a-boat competition will be happening again this year.

WA seafood ambassador and celebrity chef Don Hancey will be entertaining crowds.

The day will also include children’s activities and a range of local seafood tastings.