A VIOLENT windy storm is the meaning given for a ‘Tempest’.

And if ever there was a sign that Victorian coastal waters had been hit by a “violent windy storm” last Friday, it was the sight of the Jonathan Brocklesby’s rock lobster boat, Tempest, loaded up with all its cray pots and paraphernalia, safely back in port at San Remo at the height of the crayfish season.

“That’s why we’re in here with all the gear,” said Jonathan, calling out to the San Remo’s fisherman’s Wharf with son Rex to effect a few running repairs during an extended stay in port.

“It’s an unusually big swell for this time of the year,” he said, the wind also blowing a gale after the main front had come through at about 4pm, leaving behind it hundreds of wintry storm cells.

“The season has been ok, a bit up and down, but alright,” he said.

Jonothan expects the China trade to be back up and going by next season but to the detriment of the local market for crayfish which has enjoyed modest prices, allowing anyone and everyone to eat one of the true delicacies of the deep.

But take the chance now in case most of next year’s catch goes to China.