Carrying the Legacy
with Chloé Bauer of Bowen Fishermans Seafood Company
Bowen native Chloé Bauer’s foray into the business world was powered by pride.
Make no mistake, she has an ardent passion for the fishing industry and the craft. But when she saw an opportunity to carry on the legacy her grandparents started at Bowen Fishermans Seafood Company, it was a sense of duty that reeled her in, hook, line, and sinker.
It was in 2010, and fresh out of high school, that Chloé had completed her hairdressing apprenticeship. However, after years of practicing the trade, she realised her heart lay elsewhere. That’s when she jumped ship.
“I saw an opportunity to help my family with the business… and went for it,” said Chloé.
When she joined, Bowen Fishermans Seafood Company already had a nearly 30-year legacy in the area, positioning itself as something of a cornerstone of the Bowen community. The family‑owned seafood business had been supplying fresh, locally caught wild seafood across Australia and internationally for generations, operating its own boats and offering a true boat‑to‑plate experience to locals and passers-by alike.
Despite her family ties, she very much started at square one in the business - “out the back” loading and unloading the boats carrying the company’s signature live, fresh and frozen seafood.
“My thought process at the time was that I needed to understand every aspect of the job,” she said.
“How could I expect someone to do it if I couldn’t?”
After mastering each role and hiring specialists to take care of backroom operations, Chloé eventually stepped into the office, subsequently assuming a management position that she admits was never her end-game.
“I never had an initial goal of becoming the ‘manager,’” said Chloé.
“I simply loved and cared deeply about the legacy my Gran and Pop created.”
Under Chloé’s guidance, the company has continued to go from strength to strength.
The retail shop grew to include Bird’s Fish Bar in 2013, followed by onsite dining overlooking the marina to create a true boat-to-plate experience. In 2020, renovations streamlined operations and made room for more customers, with a liquor licence added soon after. Most recently, at the end of 2025, a large playground, extended dining areas with air-conditioned seating, and a private function room were added, further cementing the business as a hub for the Bowen community.
Through all the company’s success, Chloé says she has leant on the steady guidance of family and the example set before her.
“My dad has unknowingly been my biggest mentor in business,” she said.
“I’m sure I’ve driven him nuts along the way, but being able to work alongside him and watching his work ethic, dedication and the way he handles things over the years has shaped how I lead and approach challenges.”
Over the next five years, Chloé hopes to gradually loosen her grip on business operations to spend more time with her partner, Sean, and their two children, Oscar (7) and Ayla (4), who she describes as her “world.”
“I would like to see myself being less hands-on in the day-to-day operations and more focused on strategy, growth and mentoring others,” she said.
“I’d love to continue expanding the business while also creating more balance in my life, spending more time with my family and enjoying the lifestyle we’ve worked so hard to build.”
