Annie Potter likes to make visitors to the Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative laugh.  As the tour guide at the Cooperative’s live lobster factory she has plenty of opportunities to coax people into interacting with not only each other, but the lobsters as well.

There are 446 holdings tanks at the Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative.  In total, the facility stocks up to 90 tonnes of live produce.  During Annie’s tour, those brave enough are given the chance to hold one of the larger creatures, sparking screams and squeals from visitors not used to seeing these seafood delicacies in their living form.

Annie is one of two guides who have worked at the Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative since the free tours began eight years ago.  Since then, they have seen more than 40,000 people enjoying the smell of the sea and marvelling at the size of the catch.

“Ninety tonnes of live lobster is awesome to visitors from overseas,” says Annie. 

Many of the tourists are Europeans, fascinated by such an up close experience of nature.  Annie also sees groups from Asia, as well as Australians holidaying at home.

“I think they also like my Aussie sense of humour.  I make jokes at my own expense but my mother in law also gets a lathering.  I tell the group she looks like the scorpion fish in that tank.” 

Despite the humour, Annie is serious about the fishing industry and passionate about Geraldton. 

"A lot of what I say on the tour is about the fragile fishing industry and educating people about how we don’t overfish it.  It’s a viable industry.”

As for her adopted home town of Geraldton, this former Sydney-sider wouldn’t be anywhere else.

“Geraldton is a hidden jewel.  I don’t think anyone realises its potential for tourism.  We have beautiful beaches, plenty of fishing and it’s always windy – but you need the wind to cool things down.”

The Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative Live Lobster Tours are free and operate daily during the season.