Aus-US Fisher Chat: Deck Processing, Hoppers and more

Image Above: The hopper and conveyor on Micks boat with a nice haul of east coast King Prawns. (Supplied by Mick Tickle)

Trawl fishers from Australia and the United States met recently to continue our chat series between US and Australian prawn fishers. This time we focused on catch handling and processing on a prawn trawler (meeting recording linked below).

The meeting started with a live video walkthrough from Mick Tickle, skipper of a Mooloolaba based trawler. Mick talked through how product moves through his hopper, conveyors, sorting table, graders and freezers work together to move prawns quickly, protect quality, and cut labour and crew fatigue. For some this was a rare chance to observe the processing equipment on a prawn trawler and understand the processing journey.

One of Micks crew working on the sorting table. (Supplied by Mick Tickle)

From there, the discussion between fishers opened right up, with discussions comparing freezer systems, catch handling methods, prawn preservatives, and refrigeration gases. Fishers from both countries spoke about what they use, what breaks, what costs too much, and what they’d change if they were building again. A key takeaway was that there’s no one “perfect” processing system – every boat balances processing speed, simplicity, maintenance and crew capacity differently.

The conversation also went beyond prawns. Fish trawl operators shared how similar hopper systems are being used for finfish, and how better temperature control can mean longer shelf life and better prices. New ideas, like the “fishfirst” hopper, were discussed – not as theory, but in terms of overcoming operational challenges at sea.

Crew issues came up repeatedly. Many fishers agreed that better processing gear doesn’t just improve product – it makes boats safer, cleaner and more attractive places to work. These improvements matter when crew are hard to find and even harder to keep.

Nice haul of king prawns on their way to the hopper (Supplied by Mick Tickle)

The meeting wrapped up with discussion about bycatch and sawfish, and how Australian fishers and researchers have been working together on practical gear changes that actually reduce impacts.

Keen to join in the discussions on catch handling and processing, or any other topics around innovation in trawling? Let us know in the comments below or through Wharf Talk.