Well done on getting through another tricky year! It might not be clear to everyone yet, but we think we can see the light at the end of this very long tunnel that we’ve been in. Hopefully you’ll be lucky enough to be spending your holidays with loved ones, or even just enjoying the warmer weather that the summer holidays have to offer.
If you are a seafood lover, there are great ways to celebrate with sustainable seafood options that tread lightly on our seas. To help you plan your holiday feast, we have put together some ocean-friendly seafood options that you can enjoy at home, or maybe treat yourselves and head out to one of our GoodFish Partners. These options will not only make a delicious meal, but also support those Australian fishing and farming communities working to ensure that there is plenty for future generations.
Sea urchins are highly prized in some food cultures and many people love them, yet they are becoming pests in parts of NSW, VIC and TAS. Sea urchin fisheries are working to restore damaged ecosystems through the goal of overfishing urchins where they are invasive species. Urchins are also collected by hand, which ensures that other marine animals are not harmed during fishing.
This versatile white-fleshed fish can be enjoyed in so many ways making barramundi farmed in Australia a great choice for the summer. It’s a highly efficient species to farm, with minimal impacts on the environment!
Farmed Oysters and Mussels
Australia’s oyster and mussel farmers have always produced some of the most sustainable seafood available in Australia. There is nothing better or easier to impress with than freshly shucked oysters or mussels popped open on the barbecue. Throw these stewards of our inlets and estuaries your support this Christmas.
Wild-caught prawns from South Australia’s Spencer Gulf are Australia’s first wild prawn fishery to make the Green-List in GoodFish: Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide. Substantial investment has been made to reduce the ‘footprint’ of their fishery, closing areas known to host sensitive environments and vulnerable species. Prawns are an Australian staple for Christmas and while always a luxury, thanks to these fishers they don’t have to come at the expense of our oceans. If you can’t get your hands on the Spencer Gulf King Prawns, farmed Aussie prawns are also a great (and sustainable) option.
A clear favourite of the GoodFish team, Murray Cod are an endemic and iconic Australian species that are now farmed very efficiently across inland NSW, SA and Victoria. It is the kind of fish everyone will enjoy, as a table centre-piece or grilled for a simple meal. Make sure you are eating the farmed product though, previous commercial fishing activity depleted populations and the species is now listed as protected under Federal environmental law.
Eastern or Western Rock Lobster
These lobsters are caught from healthy stocks with little impact on other species or sensitive seafloor habitats. Take advantage of this rare opportunity and help support this sustainably managed industry to get back on its feet.
Whatever your seafood choices this Christmas, don’t forget to use GoodFish: Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide to find the most sustainable options.
By making good choices we keep our oceans healthy and full of life, and give some holiday care to the fisheries and farmers who have worked hard to be sustainable in yet another difficult year.
GoodFish is only able to do our work because of you, so from the GoodFish team, we wish you all the best, a Merry Christmas, and all the hope that 2022 is a great year for you all.
