A good Friday to eat NSW seafood

18 Apr 2019

As NSW commercial fishers, fish and oyster farmers and fishmongers gear up for one of the busiest weekends of the year, NSW DPI Acting Deputy Director General - Fisheries, David McPherson has encouraged NSW consumers to put local seafood on their menus this Easter.

Mr McPherson said prawns, oysters, lobster, abalone, mullet, flathead, mackerel and snapper are expected to fly off the shelves this Easter, so consumers should check where they come from.

“If you’re having a special gathering of family and friends, there’s no better way to celebrate than by enjoying some fresh, local seafood that supports plenty of family businesses around the state,” Mr McPherson said.

“By buying local, consumers can ensure that they’re eating a top quality, healthy and safe product that has not been transported great distances to reach your dinner plate.

“Some great picks for this Easter include the top quality farmed prawns that are currently being harvested in Yamba after a bumper season for quality and tonnage, and local oysters, including the renowned Sydney Rock Oysters, which are grown in more than 30 estuaries in NSW.

“NSW is able to produce such a wide range of delicious seafood because our coastline spans from the sub-tropical Tweed River to the temperate Wonboyn Lake on the South Coast - not many other states have that same advantage.”

Mr McPherson said not only is fresh NSW seafood delicious, it is also a huge contributor to the local economy.

“Our seafood industry generates over half a billion dollars of economic activity each year and employs more than 4,000 people.

“On Good Friday alone, around 650 tonnes of seafood are expected to be sold at Sydney Fish Market as more than 50,000 visitors converge on the iconic Market to shop for their Easter feasts.

“NSW seafood is also subject to stringent food safety laws which apply from the moment the catch leaves the water, right through to the point of sale.

“So this Easter, remember to buy local seafood from reputable seafood suppliers so you can enjoy the best seafood from anywhere in NSW, safely.”

Media note: VNR available here of NSW Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, Adam Marshall, at Sydney Fish Market this morning (18 April 2019)

Media contact: Leesa Ronald (02) 6391 3686