Day 84 - Esperance (30 Nov)

Visited the Mermaid Leather factory.  Believe it or not they make leather out of fish skins!  It is very strong in fact stronger than animal leather and they can tan it to all colours.  They only use fish that has been caught and processed for food and they have a contract with the local fisheries to buy their discarded fish skins.  Every part of the fish is used - even the scales.  It was very interesting to see how they use the skins and what they use it for, ie, shoes, handbags, jewellery, car seats in fact anything that you would use leather for.  Mostly they use barramundi, shark and schapper skins although any fish skin can use used. They are the only commercial producers in Australia and one of 9 in the world so they have a niche market. Here is their website if interested.  http://www.mermaidleather.com/