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

The chief executive of Sydney Fish Market says he recognises there has been “disappointment” after huge crowds flocked to grand opening of the site, forcing some would-be visitors to be turned away at the door.

Daniel Jarosch, chief executive of the Sydney Fish Market, also believes it will take time for Sydneysiders to “learn how to visit” the new tourism drawcard.

“I think it was inevitable that we would have some level of queueing, but of course, it’s disappointing for people who wanted to get inside and have had to queue,” he said.

Jarosch said the new fish market had a strict crowd capacity of 5000 people and is using high-tech sensors at doorways to monitor crowd numbers.

“I would like to think that we could get everyone into the centre. But I just encourage people, if they’re thinking of coming down to use the extended hours – instead of coming during the busy lunch period – to come during the evening instead.

“Being day one, there’s been a lot of interest and visitors are still learning how to use the new markets and that will take time.”

The cap on 5000 visitors will also remain in place over the busy annual Christmas periods, suggesting today’s long lines could be replicated during the market’s peak season.

Jarosch said the market officials will be reviewing crowd issues in the week’s ahead.

“We’ll be holding regular briefings to look at those issues, and we’ll continue to get the message out there that we’ve got extended hours,” he said.