Sydney Fish Market opening as it happened: Crowds told to ‘come back later’ as new $836 million site at Blackwattle Bay reaches capacity

Crowds are being told to either wait in line or “come back later” as the new fish market officially reaches capacity.

Wardens were seen herding the queue and telling visitors to “come back this evening” as a long line of patrons snaked down Bridge Road.

Alex Jensen, who took a train and tram to the soak in the market’s opening day, said it was disappointing.

“All we were told is that it’s full and we either have to queue up or come back later,” he said. “It’s disappointing because we made the trip especially to be here.”

As of 12.45pm the queue time to enter the market was running at 20 to 30 minutes.

Visitors are being told by fish market staff that the space is at capacity, and that no one else will be allowed in, just five hours into the grand opening day.

Garner and Michelle Annett made a reservation at a restaurant inside the fish market, but have been waiting in line for more than 40 minutes. They were told by staff that markets had reached capacity.

“The restaurant is ringing and saying ‘where are you?’” Michelle said.

“They’ve said they’re going to hold [the table] but we’ll see how that goes,” Garner said.

This is where we will end our live coverage of the new Sydney Fish Market’s grand opening. Thank you so much for following along.

Here’s a recap of everything that happened today:

• Crowds were told to either wait in line or “come back later” as the new fish market officially reached capacity, which Sydney Fish Market boss Daniel Jarosch said was “inevitable”.
• Retailers said crowds of influencers, seafood lovers and tourists on opening day rivalled those of the NYE rush.
• The NSW Coalition said the world-class fish market which a previous Liberal-National government planned more than six years ago was ‘long overdue’.
• One of the features that sets the new fish market apart from the old complex is the now “total segregation” between tourism and trade.
• The $836 million new building will enable the company to export seafood for the first time, as it looks to boost its market share across Asia and the United States.
• The relocation of the Sydney Fish Market to the new building will open up the Blackwattle Bay foreshore and clear the path for thousands of more homes in towers up to 35 storeys on the old site.
• Dozens of registered buyers packed the first seafood auction on the new trading floor.
• Fishy smells and seagulls have largely been kept at bay on opening day.

Our team of reporters will continue their coverage of the fish market, so keep an eye out for those stories.

In the meantime, check out more of our coverage on the fish markets here:

• Fish and chips, coffee, and the ultimate surf and turf: Where to eat at the new Sydney Fish Market
• 1400 homes, 35-storey towers: The plan to transform Sydney’s old fish market site
• Secret deals, angry tenants and expensive lawsuits: The long road to the new Sydney Fish Market

NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said today’s opening of the fish market marked a new chapter for Sydney and noted the site was designed and commenced by the former Coalition government.

“The Sydney Fish Market plays a big part in the life of our city, particularly around major family celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, and now it finally has the world-class home it deserves,” Sloane said.

“This project was started thanks to the clear vision and ambition of the former NSW Liberal and Nationals government, and it is fantastic to see it open its doors today.”

NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh highlighted the importance of the new fish market for small business, tourism and the seafood industry, and described the upgrade as “long overdue”.

“Today marks a major step forward for seafood producers and the thousands of locals whose livelihoods are linked to this industry,” he said.

With the lunch rush tapering off about 2pm, the lines have begun to partly clear.

However, visitors still have a wait ahead of them, with the first line just reaching around the corner on the eastern side of the fish market, and the second line beginning halfway down the stairs on the Bridge Road side of the building.

“I don’t want to go in there like sardines!” a member of the public was overheard saying.

Another said she had been told by security to “come back next week”, when the crowds may be less.

Canadian tourists Daniel Gezowski, his daughter, and his father-in-law Sam Isernia came down to the fish markets looking for lunch.

Gezowski said they had been waiting in line for almost 75 minutes to enter the markets.

“I’m here with my father-in-law – any time spent is quality time,” he said. “It’s unexpected. I thought it might be a little bit easier.”

“I understand it’s been a long time coming, so probably a lot of people are keen to come and try it out,” he said, “so spirits are OK.”

“My daughter though isn’t so happy,” Daniel said. “We didn’t anticipate waiting so long … parent fail.”

The rain was no deterrent for the cast of thousands still lining up to catch a glimpse of the new $836 million Sydney Fish Market.

The line wrapping around the building on Bank Street has been split in half due to the brief shower, with staff allowing the second half of the line to queue on the stairs.

Crowds are being told to either wait in line or “come back later” as the new fish market officially reaches capacity.

Wardens were seen herding the queue and telling visitors to “come back this evening” as a long line of patrons snaked down Bridge Road.

Alex Jensen, who took a train and tram to the soak in the market’s opening day, said it was disappointing.

“All we were told is that it’s full and we either have to queue up or come back later,” he said. “It’s disappointing because we made the trip especially to be here.”

As of 12.45pm the queue time to enter the market was running at 20 to 30 minutes.

Visitors are being told by fish market staff that the space is at capacity, and that no one else will be allowed in, just five hours into the grand opening day.

Garner and Michelle Annett made a reservation at a restaurant inside the fish market, but have been waiting in line for more than 40 minutes. They were told by staff that markets had reached capacity.

“The restaurant is ringing and saying ‘where are you?’” Michelle said.

“They’ve said they’re going to hold [the table] but we’ll see how that goes,” Garner said.