SEAFOOD A PLENTY ON THE SUNSHINE COAST THIS EASTER

Thursday 2 April 2009 SEAFOOD A PLENTY ON THE SUNSHINE COAST THIS EASTER

Paul Hogan would be happy. The lovable, Aussie larrikin who promoted Australia with the popular "throw a shrimp on the barbie" campaign in the eighties would be pleased to hear that there is plenty of seafood available on the Sunshine Coast now and for Easter.

Fresh seafood supplies have not been compromised by the recent Pacific Adventurer oil spill off Moreton Island on March 11, 2009 and catches are overflowing in the lead up to the traditionally busy Easter holiday period.

Paul Higginbottom, area two representative (Sunshine Coast) of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) said that locals and visitors could start planning early for their traditional Easter feasts.

"We've had some great catches over the past few weeks on the Sunshine Coast. There are abundant stocks of prawns, crabs, calamari and fish in the local area," he said. "I'm a third generation professional fisherman and can honestly say that we've had a tremendous season, probably the best ever".

Paul said that the trawlers were currently targeting in-season prawns and with strong levels of stock, prices should be stable over the Easter period.

Between 1.8 and 7 tonnes of seafood is believed to be unloaded at Mooloolaba Harbour each week brought in by approximately 30 boats. Although some stock is sent interstate or overseas the majority is retained by the local market.

Vicki Brown, Marketing Manager of Mooloolaba seafood wholesale and retail outlet Browns of Mooloolaba, said that stocks of the famous Mooloolaba prawn (formerly known as the eastern king prawn) were high and local sales have been strong. Vicki explained that there was some initial hesitation about the locally named product directly after the Pacific Adventurer incident.

"In addition to our strong local customer base we also supply seafood to the Sydney and Melbourne Fish Markets. Whilst admittedly there were a few questions asked about the oil spill down south, confidence has now returned to the market. Mooloolaba Prawns are as safe and delicious as ever".

Jason Sgro, owner of Spanner Crabs Noosa who supplies tasty treats such as spanner crabs prawns, bugs, fish and scallops to many of Australia's leading restaurants said that their business had not been affected by the spill.

"Our local catch area from Mooloolaba north has not been affected, nor have our business operations. We have strong supplies of quality seafood ready to enjoy now and right through the Easter period".

graphics to the right:
* image of the famous 'Mooloolaba' prawn
* image of the Mooloolaba trawlers at work

Permanent Link: SEAFOOD A PLENTY ON THE SUNSHINE COAST THIS EASTER
Publish Date: 02 Apr 09

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