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Blessing of the Fleet: a wish for fish on Freo's streets

WITH the new fishing season not far away, it's almost time again for Blessing of the Fleet, the annual event that captures people hook, line and sinker.

Mark Sunday, October 21, in your diary and head to Fremantle for a treasure chest of delights – a day of fun, culture and history – as the procession makes its way from St Patrick’s Basilica to Fishing Boat Harbour.

Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri said the Blessing of the Fleet, now in its 59th year, is an important annual event for the port, first introduced locally by Italian migrant fishermen in 1948.

“At that stage in Fremantle’s history, people from Britain, Italy, Scandinavia, Austria, Germany, Japan and Greece were all working in WA’s fishing industry,” he said.

“The Blessing of the Fleet is an old and revered tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, highlighting the loyalty and solidarity among the fishing community.

“This centuries-old ritual started life in Molfetta in Italy and Capo D’Orlando in Sicily and calls for divine providence to safeguard ships and crews from the dangers of the seas, as well as ensuring fishermen return to port with a bountiful catch.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the most recent fishing season with its highs, lows and varying prices, along with ways we might be able to improve the overall catch.

“And it’s a time for us to pay respect to the fishing community for its dedication and their commitment to using the City of Fremantle as a base.”

Mayor Tagliaferri described the fishing industry as an integral part of Fremantle’s identity with the Blessing of the Fleet continuing to be an extremely important cultural event each year.

“As someone who has grown up in Fremantle and worked here for most of my life, the Blessing of the Fleet is a quintessential part of our cultural melting pot,” he said.

“Fremantle is a thriving fishing port where the air is filled with chatter in a variety of languages – a walk along the boardwalks and jetties allows you to take in the smell of the sea air and freshly-caught fish being hauled ashore.

“The Blessing of the Fleet is a constant reminder of Fremantle’s enduring connection to the sea and an integral part of our identity.

“We are honoured the City of Fremantle continues to be a part of this magnificent tradition and our warmest wishes go out to all fishing crews and their families.

“And with changes to fishing regulations in the pipeline for November, this ceremony is even more important this year as we want to make sure all fishermen catch enough to maintain their livelihoods.”

The Blessing of the Fleet parade will start from St Patrick’s Basilica, 47 Adelaide Street, Fremantle, at 2pm and make its way to Fishing Boat Harbour before returning at 5pm. 

* For more information on Blessing of the Fleet, contact the Fishing Fleet Festival Association on 9331 3974.

The Fishing Fleet Festival Association advises that, in order to facilitate this year’s procession through the Fremantle CBD, several roads will be closed intermittently between 1.30pm and 5.30pm on Sunday, October 21 (see attached map – blessing-map.jpg).

Fireworks will be held on Fremantle Esplanade Reserve about 9.45am, 3.30pm-4pm and 8pm.

Some traffic congestion is anticipated and some delays are expected – for any information relating to this event, call the Fishing Fleet Festival Association on 9331 3974.