With a rich heritage in whaling, sealing and fishing, the Glenelg Shire Council manages the Local Port of Portland Bay (Trawler Wharf) on behalf of the Department of Transport which is the base for a large commercial fishing fleet that operates from Kangaroo Island, off South Australia, across much of the Western Victorian coastline and down to northern Tasmania.

The fishing industry is a major contributor to the local economy including support industries such as: fish processing, marine engineering, transport, ship building and maintenance, fuelling, providores and associated businesses.