REELED IN HISTORY SERIES – 1

For the Minutillo family, the Western Rock Lobster fishery is far more than a livelihood — it’s a legacy that spans five generations. From the days of wooden boats and hand-woven pots to today’s world-class sustainable fishery, their story reflects the resilience, ingenuity and community spirit that has defined WA’s lobster industry for more than a century.

“It all started with my great-great-grandfather, Diego Vinci,” says Stephen Minutillo. “On my mum’s side, the family has always been tied to the ocean, while my dad’s side worked in both fishing and processing. My father John spent seven years at sea before dedicating fifty years to processing, starting at Fremantle Co-op when he was just fourteen.”

Stephen’s maternal grandfather, Tony, began fishing out of Dongara at just thirteen, working alongside his father and grandfather. Like many migrant families from Italy, Portugal, and Croatia, fishing was a way of life. “My Nonna used to say she raised the kids alone,” Stephen recalls, “because my grandfather would spend months away, first in Dongara and then Shark Bay, trapping snapper.”

Eventually, Tony shifted to the processing side, working with companies like Kalis and France, where he pioneered a breakthrough that transformed the industry: the modern method of exporting live lobster. Inspired by a doctor’s offhand remark about anaesthetics, Tony experimented with submerging lobsters in near-freezing water before shipping. The method worked, dramatically increasing survival rates and revolutionising the live lobster trade – a practice still in use today, albeit with refined technology.

Stories from the Sea

Like many fishing families, the Minutillos’ history is filled with tales of courage, mishap, and innovation. “My favourite is that my grandfather invented the way we send live lobster today,” Stephen says proudly. “But there are plenty more – like the time he rescued a boat, was struck by lightning, and even ended up with a swordfish bill stuck in his foot.”

The industry has changed dramatically over the years. “Back when Dad started, there was no GPS,” Stephen laughs. “Our sounder was hooked to a printer, and we’d only switch it on near the spot to save ink and paper.” Today’s boats are equipped with advanced systems like Olex, which can map the seafloor in 3D. Gear has also evolved – the old “sticky” pots have disappeared, replaced by slat pots that deliver greater precision and efficiency. “It’s a completely different world now.”

Childhood by the Coast

For Stephen, the pull of the sea began early. “I was born when Dad was fishing, and it was love at first sight. For my fifth birthday, Larry Amato gave me a stick pot, and Fred Rodriguez gave me a scale model of his crayboat. Those were my favourite toys for years.”

Life revolved around the fishery: building craypots, attending the annual Blessing of the Fleet, and even lobster sandwiches in the schoolyard. “The other kids thought I was rich – but for us, it was just normal,” Stephen laughs. Still, the lifestyle brought challenges: long hours, missed birthdays, and late-night calls when shipments went wrong.

Built on Community

With more than 50 years of experience in fishing and processing lobster, John drew on a lifetime of knowledge when he founded Fremantle Lobster in 2012 with his brother Sav coming on board later as a valuable employee. Grounded in family values and supported by close friends and fellow fishers, the business was born with a simple but powerful vision: to deliver the freshest, finest Western Rock Lobster straight from WA’s pristine waters to the market.

“It was never just about selling lobster,” John recalls. “It was about doing it the right way – respecting the product, the people who caught it, and the families it supported.”

The facility quickly became a standout in the industry. Equipped with five state-of-the-art live tanks capable of holding up to five tonnes of lobster, every detail was meticulously managed – from temperature control to filtration – to ensure the lobsters remained in peak condition from ocean to plate. “We treated every lobster as if it was destined for our own table,” John says. “That care and attention was what set us apart.”

Running an operation of this scale demanded long hours, determination, and sacrifice. John and his small team worked tirelessly, driven by pride in their product and the trust of their community. “There were plenty of nights where we barely slept,”

John admits, “but we believed in what we were building.”

Though Fremantle Lobster has since closed its doors, its legacy speaks volumes. The business stands as a chapter in the Western Rock Lobster story written with resilience, family commitment, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. “It wasn’t easy,” John reflects, “but everything we put into it came from the heart. That’s something I’ll always be proud of.”

Fishing families like the Minutillos have been the backbone of WA’s coastal towns for decades.

“Fremantle’s early infrastructure was built on the backs of migrant fishers,” John recalls. “And towns like Lancelin wouldn’t even exist without the lobster fishery.” Despite industry consolidation and the challenges of scale, those community bonds remain. “I’ve made lifelong friends – some I even consider family. Without this industry, I wouldn’t have met them.”

Looking Ahead

The greatest transformation, Stephen says, has been in sustainability. “In the early days, the industry was almost lawless. Now, there’s so much care put into preserving the resource for the future.” Quota management, bycatch improvements, and whale protection measures have earned WA’s lobster fishery a reputation as a global sustainability leader.

Yet challenges remain. “For the next generation, the biggest issues will be market reliance on one customer and skyrocketing overheads. Lease prices are unsustainable,” Stephen notes.

Through it all, the message for the future remains grounded in family. “Invest in the industry, and keep it in the family,” John advises. “My greatest joy has been working alongside my brother and my son. That’s what it’s all about.”

Stephen recently completed a four-year term as a Southern Zone Director for the Western Rock Lobster Council. His passion, knowledge, and commitment to the industry have been greatly valued, with significant contributions to the Council’s work since 2021.

Meanwhile, John Minutillo has proudly served as President of the Fishing Fleet Festival Association for 15 years and a committee member for 35 years. Through his leadership, John has guided the committee in preserving and celebrating the Blessing of the Fleet while continually encouraging the youth of Fremantle to embrace its true meaning and carry the legacy forward.