Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is urging Queenslanders to put plenty of local seafood on the menu during the coming festive season.
“Christmas is just not Christmas in Queensland without a lot of fresh, sustainable seafood on the festive table,” the Premier said.
“Fishers, aquaculture farmers, and seafood merchants are working hard to ensure there will be plentiful supplies of all the top prawn, crab and fish varieties to meet the big seasonal rush.
“All report they are well ready to meet the demand.”
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said buying Queensland caught and farmed seafood benefited so many.
“Let’s put our commercial fishers and aquaculture farmers at the very top of our Christmas ‘nice list’ and stock up on the very best. At your local fish supplier make sure you ask for Queensland seafood,” Mr Furner said.
Queensland Seafood Marketers Association President Marshall Betzel also encouraged people to make the most of the seafood on offer.
“It’s been a hard 12-24 months and people deserve to spoil themselves as they celebrate this Christmas, and what better way than with plenty of Queensland seafood,” Mr Betzel said.
“We’re so lucky here having access to some of the greatest seafood in the world.
“There will be good supplies of popular prawn varieties from now and right through till next Easter.
“Consumers should benefit from competitive Christmas pricing with wild caught Tiger, Endeavour and Banana prawns on sale at many seafood outlets from $20 a kilo for Endeavours and Medium Kings round $35 a kilo.
“Endeavour prawns are small and sweet and great value at $20 per kilo and from a Queensland perspective, they’re an iconic species.
“In my opinion Endeavours are the best tasting prawn in Australia and there will be plenty for everyone.
“Tropical lobsters are another good buy, retailing for around $50 a kilogram. These big lobsters, from the Torres Strait taste fantastic and are a real stand-out on the Christmas table.
“Queensland bugs should retail for about $60 per kilo,” Mr Betzel said.
Australian Prawn Farmers Association Executive Officer Kim Hooper said Australian farmed prawns are plentiful and the way to go this Christmas.
“We are enjoying a bumper season again this year, Our industry’s production growth is up 48 per cent in just the last two years so it is very exciting times for our prawn farmers,” Ms Hooper said.
“Of course, bumper harvests guarantee there’s an abundance of beautiful, high quality sustainably grown Queensland farmed prawns on sale now and through Christmas to Easter and beyond.
“Although prices are determined by the retailers, I am expecting they will be very attractive to consumers again this year. Of course, it pays to shop around your reputable retailers and wholesalers.”
