Registered as a Support NT Caught venue
When you buy Northern Territory Seafood, you are buying fresh seafood that comes from pristine waters in one of the most heavily regulated fisheries in the world
Yet, for many years, Territorians didn’t realise that many of the barramundi, prawns and other tropical species gracing their plates were actually frozen imports, sometimes coming from countries that have none of the strict environmental, health and export controls Australian fishermen have to observe.
When you buy local, you are buying quality seafood, eating healthily and supporting local fishing families who take pride in producing seafood that the best chefs would die for!
That’s why we are asking you to Support NT Caught. It’s your seal of approval.
Around the world, people are becoming more aware that wild fish stocks are a precious resource that has to be managed carefully.
Consumers are also more demanding about quality, wanting to know where fish was caught and produced, what it was fed and how it contributes to a healthy, balanced diet.
The Territory is renowned for its fishing fleet that brings back a range of tropical species from prawns, barramundi and mud crab to spanish mackerel, red emperor, goldband snapper and black jewfish.
We also have a growing aquaculture industry, including barramundi fish farms, a sector that is growing rapidly to help meet the world’s demand for healthy farmed fish without adding to the pressure on wild fish stocks.
Now that all restaurants and retail outlets selling seafood in the Northern Territory are required by law to label which country their seafood comes from, consumers can make more informed decisions about the seafood they are eating.
So, why is it better to buy local seafood?
Well, we can’t imagine why you’d buy your food from anywhere else! But, just in case you need convincing, here are six good reasons!
1. Local seafood comes from clean waters you know you can trust! Australia’s waterways are among the cleanest in the world, which means you can count on your seafood growing up on a healthy, natural diet. An estimated 70% of seafood sold in Australia is imported.. Much of this imported seafood may have come from healthy waters as well but, equally, some countries don’t have the same health, export or food safety regulations. Some are less fussy about protecting their fish stocks, where the fish are caught and what goes into the fish and prawns raised in aquaculture projects. Wouldn’t you prefer to know where your seafood comes from?
2. You are supporting sustainable fishing practices. Local fisheries are highly regulated to ensure fish stocks are protected for future generations. Fishermen have to follow strict licence provisions and record everything they catch so State, Territory and Commonwealth Fisheries regulators can monitor the catch, the health of the fish stocks and performance of commercial fishing. Some other countries don’t restrict species for harvest or restrict by-catch (part of a fisher’s catch that is not the targeted species). Buying local is supporting responsible, sustainable fishing practices that ensure our wild fish resources will still be there for future generations.
3. You are supporting your local fishermen and the local economy There are 280 commercial fishing licences in the Northern Territory, with about 160 fishing operations run by about 130 individuals, many of them small family operations.Buying local supports an industry that produces more than $50 million worth of product a year and contributes to the economy through fish sales, local jobs, supplies and servicing, processing and retail outlets. The Territory’s seafood industry is based on our image as a unique, tropical destination with mouth-watering local seafood, with many local restaurants refusing to serve anything less than local produce. The commercial seafood industry supports a significant number of businesses, such as chandlers, mechanics, boat yards, electricians, refrigeration specialists, carpenters, welders and other service providers who are also dependent on a healthy seafood industry for their continuing viability.
4. Eating local seafood is more environmentally friendly By buying local seafood, not only are you supporting Australia’s environmentally friendly fishing practices that minimise impacts on fish habitats, you are also reducing your own carbon footprint as local seafood is unloaded straight from the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf and taken virtually straight from the water to your plate. Local seafood also uses far less energy than imported seafood, as it doesn’t require the long refrigeration and transport times.
5. The taste and quality are oceans apart Our fishers employ best practice when it comes to onboard handling of seafood. The Territory export sector abides by some of the world’s most stringent food quality and food safety regulations. By eating local seafood, not only do you know it’s good for you, you’ll also be amazed at the difference in the taste and quality. Many well-known Australian chefs serve only Australian seafood because they won’t compromise on quality. Our seafood is in heavy demand from supermarkets and fish markets around Australia and overseas because of its mouth-watering reputation.
6. Local seafood is fresher because it has come straight from a Territory boat
Local fish is unloaded from the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf and delivered directly to the Territory’s retail outlets and restaurants.
Unless you catch it yourself, you can’t get much fresher than that!
If you like quality seafood and you’d prefer to eat fresh, healthy seafood from Australia’s clean waters that you can trust, ask for local seafood. You can also look for the Support NT Caught logo so you know where you can buy local seafood.