Queenslanders can expect good supplies of seafood this Christmas, but shoppers are being urged to check availability and prices with their local retailer before finalising their menu.
Queensland Seafood Industry Association executive officer David Bobbermen said supply could vary across the state, making early advice from seafood specialists important.
“Availability of seafood species will vary across a state as large and diverse as Queensland, so it’s worthwhile talking to the experts at your local seafood shop when planning your Christmas seafood menu,” he said.
Mr Bobbermen said demand often shifted from whole fish and fillets at Easter to prawns and other crustaceans at Christmas, while weather and conditions on fishing grounds could affect catches.
He said Endeavour prawns in North Queensland were expected to be down this year, but there had been strong landings of tiger prawns on the east coast and good supplies of eastern king prawns in places such as Mooloolaba.
Moreton Bay bugs and mud crabs were also available, while reef fish supplies were expected to be strong if weather conditions remained favourable in the north.
Mr Bobbermen encouraged shoppers not to overlook frozen Australian seafood, saying snap-frozen product processed at sea could be excellent quality.
He said barramundi was currently only available frozen or thawed due to closed seasons, and some prawns would also be frozen after the start of the northern Queensland closed season on December 15.
Mr Bobbermen said buying local wild-caught seafood also supported regional economies, with fishing operators spending locally on refits and services after Christmas.
