The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.

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An aboriginal fish trap made up of long sticks bundled vertically marks the beginning of the gallery.

Hooked on Fishing

This gallery explores Western Australia's fishing industry and the communities, past and present, that have shaped it.

This space presents stories of Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour, technological innovation, and the challenges of managing the ever-increasing pressures on fish stocks.

Hero Objects

Religious statues in a display case, a mannequin in white clothing can be seen on the opposite side of the case.

Blessing of the Fleet Madonnas

Statues

A large display of long thin brown plants with fish trapped within.

Mungah

Fish Trap

A raft made of thick sharpened wooden poles, suspended above the glass display case.

Gaalwa

Raft

glass floats and nets

Glass Floats

Beach combing - fishing gear from other worlds

Fishing showcase

Multicultural Fishing

Showcase

Two women's outfits on mannequins in a display case, one with a red skirt and the other with yellow.

Blessing of the Fleet costumes

Worn by Children

The front section of a red bicycle with many fish in a basket. Behind it in a glass case is a green rectangular cabinet with a door; this is the coolgardie cooler.

Coolgardie Safe

Before Refrigeration

Model of a toothfish

Patagonian Toothfish

Dissostichus eleginoides

Deep Dives

A large display of long thin brown plants with fish trapped within.

The First Fishers - How First Nations People Caught Their Fish

Mungah - an Aboriginal fish trap from the Serpentine River

Article

A raft made of thick sharpened wooden poles, suspended above the glass display case.

The First Fishers - How First Nations People Caught Their Fish

Gaalwa - raft

Article

A glass display case filled with spears, boomerangs, shells and other material related to fishing.

The First Fishers - How First Nations People Caught Their Fish

Lighting a fire using spear fragments

Article

Bright orange flowers covering a tree branch.

The First Fishers - How First Nations People Caught Their Fish

Six seasons, not four

Article

A collection of fishing reels and other equipment in a Museum display case.

More a Hobby than a Profession - Fishing Before Refrigeration

Fishing rods and reels - how much have things changed?

Article

The safe has a metal rectangular tray at the bottom and a metal frame on top. The sides of the frame are covered with hessian material.

More a Hobby than a Profession - Fishing Before Refrigeration

Keeping it edible - the Coolgardie cooler - a WA invention?

Article

A model of a large block of ice, with a hessian sack draped over the top.

Suddenly, a Market - The Gold Rush Era

Meeting the demand for a growing market - the gold boom - ice blocks in 40 degree heat

Article

A Catholic priest and statue of Mary surrounded by parade participants.

An Old Tradition - The Blessing of the Fleet

Dressing for the occasion - Fremantle's Blessing of the Fleet

Article

A large dark coloured fish on display.

Pirates - Protecting Australian's Deep Sea Fisheries

Modern piracy - raiding Australia's remote fish stocks - articles from a modern pirate ship

Article

A marine engine on display, painted green with two cylinders vertical in the centre.

Meeting the Demand - Made in WA

Cottage industry - Mr Overgaard's workshop

Article

From the Swan River gallery walkway, viewing the Australia II yacht with the ocean through the large windows beyond is a highlight of the Museum.

Museum walking tour

Take the VSO tour

More Info

On a beach, a man and a woman smile while holding a dark glass bottle.

World's Oldest Message in a Bottle Discovered in Western Australia

Guinness World Record

Video

An aboriginal fish trap made up of long sticks bundled vertically marks the beginning of the gallery.

Hooked on Fishing Gallery.
Credit: WA Museum

The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.