Operations Today
The Co-operative has established itself as one of the most important voices in the Australian Fishing Industry and the largest (fleet and throughput) fishing co-operatives in Australia. Through diversification, several other organisations have been formed to provide additional revenue streams as well as providing top quality investments.
Leftrade Limited operates a Seafood Supermarket, known as “Omega 3”, which allows the wholesale and retail sales of a large variety of locally caught seafood, together with a variety of other seafood products which are purchased in from other sources to widen the range available. To cater for the tourist trade as well as many surrounding hotels, motels and restaurants, Omega 3 is open 7 days a week, 364 days of the year (only closed Christmas Day) and is situated at Shop 5, Safeway Arcade, Lakes Entrance.
Through the advantages of bulk buying techniques, Leftrade Fishermen’s Gear Store stocks a large variety of store items for its members as well as other professional fishermen all around Australia. The Gearstore is one of the largest importers of Commercial Fishing Equipment in Australia. At any one time, the store stocks between $300,000 and $350,000 worth of gear and has had up to half a million dollars worth due to the many different fisheries and requirements which must be catered for. These products are also available to the general public who are welcome to come in and browse through the store and inspect items such as ropes, netting, wet weather clothing, boat maintenance equipment and recreational boating needs. The store is located at 20 Carpenter St, Lakes Entrance.
Leftrade also provides a distillate fuel supply for all vessels. Considering that fuel is one of the major overhead expenses of a fishermen’s operation, this management provides a means of competition to ensure that they pay a fair and reasonable price for their fuel. We currently dispense approximately 3 million litres of fuel per year through a computerized system which utilises tokens to allow boats to obtain fuel 24 hours of the day. In Lakes Entrance, in addition to this, approximately 2 million litres is sold to members at other port locations around Australia.
