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Working as a commercial photographer for over 30 years I have had the privilege and pleasure of seeing how many businesses work. Large mining sites, factories, construction sites, breweries  and commercial farming operations to name a few. I always find the processes and operations fascinating and the level of expertise, experience and teamwork truly is a testament to what we can achieve as a collective. 

The idea of heading out to sea and returning with a successful catch is ingrained in me and as a spear fisherman I am accustomed to the idea that an animal dies so that I can eat and live and I always try and remain mindful and respectful of it’s life and sacrifice. Fishing on a commercial scale it obviously is harder to do that but maintaining a well researched, tightly controlled industry that operates optimally and respectfully is responsible custodianship of a resource and I was fortunate to get a glimpse of this down in Port Lincoln, Tuna capital of Australia.

My sister arranged for me to accompany the boats on a harvest of the tuna nets out on Boston Bay, Port Lincoln, and I was keen to experience it. A super early start way before sunrise and a full day out on and in the water. Watching the flow and processes of the harvest was impressive. A completely professional outfit getting through a huge volume of work in a harsh and demanding, environment with severe time constraints and actually cheerfully executing the task at hand is something one doesn’t get to experience all that often. It has a lot to do with the leadership of the company and I was impressed by the flat, everybody pitches in mentality that exists. 

It can’t be denied that a tuna harvest is a bloody business but efficiency and accuracy are words that come to mind when I look back on the day. The tuna are despatched instantly as they come up the conveyor and from catching them in the net to the time they are placed in the near freezing brine the lessons and responsible procedures of 40 years experience are applied. 

The feeding of our growing global population is an ongoing challenge and our methods and ethos need to be reviewed as to how they affect our environment and even how our consumption choices and habits can bring about changes that need to be made. (In South Africa conservation organisations have just managed to lever far reaching measures against commercial fishing industries that will help save African penguins from extinction.)

At the end of a successful day the results can be seen as the commercial value of their efforts but I think it’s more than that. For me I look at those tuna hoisted off the boat about to go into chilling boxes and cold storage as the result of a large team of people that have applied themselves and their vast array of assets and equipment. Diligently combining their skills, collective knowledge and experience acquired to be efficient and productive. I see the ingenuity and attention to detail and I see the smiles of people happy to be employed about to knock off and go home after a gruelling day, turn back and lend a hand to help with the final task even though it’s not part of their job description. 

Sure it was a good day for the company but it is more than just the balance sheet. Rich rewards can be measured in a variety of ways.