FAMILY, FISH AND FOND MEMORIES
Our Story
In Fremantle, the name Paino is synonymous with seafood. In fact, the Paino connection to the WA seafood industry goes back over one hundred years.
The story begins on 9 October 1911, when Salvatore Paino set sail from Filicudi, one of the seven Aeolian Islands clustered between Naples & Sicily in the Mediterranean. He landed in Fremantle WA, aboard a ship called the Zeiten Penniless, unable to speak any English. He was eighteen years old. It was a time of great hardship and Salvatore’s initial years in Australia were spent labouring and eventually working as a cutter in the timber mills of Wellington in the south west of the state. Every few months, Salvatore would come to Fremantle to buy provisions. He would visit the Roma Fruit Palace, at the time one of only two importers of continental food in WA.
SAILFISH
A FAMILY TRADITION
On 21 June 1962, Anthony Paino and professional fisherman John Matich caught the first sailfish in WA waters, off Whitfords Beach. A fiberglass model was created and erected to hang from the ceiling in the Rokeby Road store. Anglers from all over the metropolitan area came to see it and most of them would have given anything to have hooked it themselves. The sailfish brought the business good luck over the years.
BIG FISH DIRECT
THE FAMILY BUSINESS CONTINUES
The tradition of fish and family continues, with the next generation setting up business in Bicton. Sam Paino Jnr is the proud owner of Big Fish Direct. After 51 years, the sailfish has made a reappearance and will be displayed at the Bicton store. Come and see the big fish caught by Sam Jnr’s grandfather hanging in the center of the shop high above the counter. While in store, take the time to view the amazing variety of fresh fish, frozen seafood & condiments on offer. The shop is bright and welcoming and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, providing good old fashioned service and top quality fresh fish. Delivery is available to nearby areas. As the Paino’s say: ‘Don’t wait for the ship to come in, swim out to it!”