Shark fishing was important to the Queenscliff Point Lonsdale fishing industry since early 1900s. It is still a popular activity in the area today.Fishing of all kind has been an important industry in the Queenscliff region. Although commercial fishing has greatly diminished, recreational fishing is still an important activity.Laminated photograph of a shark on the crane on Fishermans Pier circa 193820 Beach Street Queenscliffe. Debbie O'Hare? [illegible]. Back of Glenuse Reef in Point Lonsdale. Whole salmon for bait 5am. In creek on crane. 2,100Lbs, 8'6" Girthshark, shark fishing, queenscliff, fishing industry

Although Queenscliff has a rich and varied fishing history, the shark shown would not have been part of a normal catch which explains the interest displayed by the onlookers in the photograph. Good illustration of the fishing community in Queenscliff prior to the first world war.Photograph and reproduction of a 14 foot shark caught in Queenscliff being viewed by fishermen and children on 4 October 191314ft shark caught at Q'cliff 4th October 1913, Thompson photofishing, sharks

In July 1862, Victoria’s out-going Inspector of Fisheries and Oyster Beds, James Putwain, wrote a report of his observations of the colony’s commercial fisheries to deputy premier Charles Duffy. Irish-born Duffy was the Commissioner for Public Works, President of the Board of Land and Works, and Commissioner for Crown Lands and Survey, later to become Premier of Victoria. Reckoned to be of public interest, Putwain’s report was published in the Lands Circular of the day. Apart from its general historical interest in describing the fishes, fishing gear and boats of the time, this report remarks on the vulnerability of commercial fishermen to market wholesalers. It also comments on the particular role of Chinese, both as fishermen and as a discrete section of the fish-buying community at the time. FISHERIES OF VICTORIACane woven fisherman's basket for storage of catchfishing in port phillip and hobson's bay