From San Diego to the ETBF: The Journey of Paul Zolezzi

Paul Zolezzi, a fourth-generation fisherman originally from San Diego, has spent a lifetime navigating the waters of the commercial fishing industry.

After more than 40 years at sea, Paul is now ready to move on to his next adventure.

Paul's introduction to the fishing industry was inevitable.

“My father and uncle both owned and ran commercial tuna seiners and their associated businesses out of the USA,” he said.

“I first went to sea at the age of 17 and continued to work within the commercial fishing industry ever since.”

For more than four decades, Paul’s career has spanned the globe. He has worked the icy waters of Alaska, the vast expanse of the Western Pacific, the west coast of the USA and the east coast of Australia, always chasing the next catch and adventure.

Before his latest venture back in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) out of the home port of Cairns, he worked as a captain on various US-flagged tuna seiners in the Western Pacific Ocean. These vessels, averaging 70 metres in length, had crews of 30 to 40 men under his command. 

Paul (top centre) on his longliner, Talisman.

Paul's long association with the ETBF, in which he has owned four vessels, first began in 1987. 

“I brought the tuna seiner "Western Pacific" to Green Seas Cannery in Eden, carrying a load of 1,200 tonnes of yellowfin tuna caught in Kiribati Waters.” 

His journey has been colourful and not without its challenges. 

I arrived in Australia by boat—a Yankee on a tuna seiner – a fishery that wasn’t exactly well-liked. The Aussie accent and slang threw me at first; I struggled to understand anyone on the radio. But soon enough, I found my rhythm,” he recalled.

I bought my first vessel, "Talisman", in the early 90s, initially working out of Eden, then Bermagui, where I fished full-time for a few years.”

Working out of Bermagui.

He quickly adapted to the local fishing practices and built strong relationships with other fishermen and stakeholders in the industry.

Paul particularly remembers an early experience with Frank Puglisi, who took him under his wing and showed him how to longline fish the shelf.

"A classic moment was when Frank showed up three days before Christmas with a 'present' for me — two boxes of fresh rat tails. He explained, with a grin, that this is what we use for bait in Bermagui.

"It was a lightbulb moment for me — I thought, ‘No wonder I only caught two tuna while you landed fifty!’ After that, my catches finally started to pick up."

He also enjoyed playing golf with the Eden Port Captain and was able to get an Australian Passport with the help of the managers (John Henry and David Bateman) of the Eden Cannery.

Paul was one of the first commercial fishers to target swordfish in eastern Australia. 

In 1995, he based a longliner, Lonewolf, in the south-eastern Queensland port of Mooloolaba. 

A few of Australia’s longliners had sporadically fished in the area during the 1980s and early 1990s, but they targeted yellowfin rather than swordfish. 

Using Florida-style longline gear, Paul landed good catches of swordfish around seamounts on the Brisbane Grounds.

He sought accreditation with the United States Food and Drug Administration, which permitted swordfish to be exported to the United States. This was a key to Paul establishing a commercial and economically feasible fishing operation. 

Paul Zolezzi is ready to retire.

He credits part of his success to the many supportive individuals who helped him along the way. 

Paul is also grateful for the support he received from Brett Taylor, who gave him boxes of fresh squid and also to Nick, who provided him with light sticks in the mid-'90s. 

"I began fishing off Mooloolaba, using the squid and light sticks during the full moon, and almost sank the Talisman, which only held a few tons. 

"That's how the ETBF in Queensland started. 

"At that time, there was only me, the Talisman, and Chester Marlin on 'Delta.'"

In 2025, after selling his last ETBF vessel, Paul closed a remarkable chapter. 

“My goals now are simple: play more golf and retire," he reflected.

"Special thanks to all the people who helped me, worked with me, and shared in my fishing journey — I will always remember them.”

From a 17-year-old boy learning the ropes in San Diego to an international commercial fishing career spanning decades and oceans, Paul Zolezzi’s story is one of resilience, adventure, and a lifelong love of the sea.