Sydney Fish Market and the Blessing of the Fleet

A highlight of our time in Sydney was a visit to the Sydney Fish Market. This is located at the end of the Pyrmont Peninsula and is a large area where all kinds of fish, shellfish, abalone, urchins and oysters are sold fresh or cooked. There is an enormous variety to choose from and it is an extremely popular venue for a lot of Asian families on a Sunday. If you want to see it on a less crowded day a weekday is probably best. We loved the variety and the freshness of it all. Here are a few of the items on sale with crabs of all sizes and types. You name it, they had it. 

At this time each year a special ceremony is held and we just happened to be there for it. It is the day the Fleet is Blessed. This is one of the oldest traditions in fishing communities around the world and here it is celebrated in association with the Association Bagnara Calabra. The fish market's success owes a great deal to the Italian Community of Sydney who were first involved. The name that is most mentioned is the Bagnato family who apparently dominated. There were other families as well who were involved at a later stage. The Italian community is here in force, an Italian Brass band with Italian colours on their uniforms is playing while a priest blesses the fleet, and calls everyone to prayer before the Madonna SS di PortoSalvo (literally translated as St Mary of Safe Ports or Safe Harbour) is paraded around the Fish Market grounds, followed by all the fishing families who proudly sport the T shirts. There are lots of activities organised for the day not least a spaghetti eating competition !