Vale Tony Gibson

Tony Gibson passed away in early November. Tony was a well-known and highly regarded representative and advocate for the Western Australian fishing industry and later the Northern Prawn Fishery.

Tony first looked after the Rock Lobster and Prawning Association and the interests of Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) while working for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.  In 1974 Tony was appointed as the first full time executive officer of WAFIC.

Tony’s energy and passion for the fishing industry helped WAFIC to grow and mature into a highly regarded and effective industry association. Tony travelled widely in Western Australia and later throughout the country when the fishing industry sought to establish a voice in Canberra.

Tony was equally at home meeting fishermen in remote coastal towns as he was meeting politicians in Parliament House; a rare skill for which he was widely respected.

Tony left WAFIC in 1978 to join the Lombardo Marine Group and returned to WAFIC as Executive Officer in 1985 before f the world of commerce persuaded Tony to leave WAFIC for new ventures in the Northern Prawn Fishery.

Tony was active in the development of the NPF management arrangements including the difficult restructuring processes of the 1990s.

Early in the new century Tony took on the role of Secretary of the Rock Lobster and Prawning Association and remained in that role for almost ten years.

Tony was a devoted family man who kept his private life well separated from his professional life.

Tony is survived by his wife Annie and daughters Sarah and Jo.

(Very sad. He was a good bloke. He put a lot into the industry in the 70s and 80s. He was a big help to us when we started Professional Fisherman (now Ausmarine) – Neil Baird)