Seafood industry Victoria
  • Home
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Our industry
  • News
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Media & Publications
    • Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG)
  • COVID-19 Information
  • Offshore Projects
  • Buy Vic seafood
  • NOTICEBOARD
  • CONTACT US

BUY VICTORIAN SEAFOOD

Where to find Victorian Seafood
healthy seafood
buying fresh
Eating vic seafood

If you are not sure where to buy Victorian seafood, you are in luck because it is all around you! 

You can find Victorian fish at your local fish monger (just ask for Victorian!),
​at local markets, and at food festivals.


Seafood is super healthy! Scroll down to find out more

Seafood is easy to prepare. Find out what to look for when buying fish and how to cook it.
Picture
 

where to find victorian seafood

Markets


​A good place to start if you want to buy the best quality seafood from Victorian and Australian waters is Melbourne's famous markets. You will find high-quality seafood retailers who value sustainability, local produce, and freshness.
Picture
At the South Melbourne Market you can find local, sustainable, quality seafood from award winning fishmongers. You can also try different seafood, from $1 oyster shots to sashimi! 
“South Melbourne Market is the quintessential village market – a place where people come to meet, eat, drink, shop, discover and connect." 
​
Coventry St & Cecil Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205

Picture
The seafood hall at the Queen Victoria Market is an experience not to missed! You'll find all the seafood you can imagine. The ‘Vic Market’  is a historic landmark and has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. Multi-generational fish mongers here really know their seafood.
Elizabeth St & Victoria St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Picture
The Prahran Market is famous for fine fresh produce, hard to find specialty items and good old fashioned service sealed with expert advice, this Melbourne Market can’t be beaten on quality. For sustainable local seafood, sourced fresh daily, Prahran Market fishmongers will clean, fillet and pin bone to order.
​
Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141

Picture
Abbotsford Convent Slow Food Farmer's Market is based on the Slow Food movement, which values good, clean, fair local produce. You not only get the tastiest food around, but can also be confident knowing it’s sustainable and ethically sourced. You'll find seafood there from Gippsland Lakes and mussels from Portarlington. It is held at the Convent every fourth Saturday of the month. Get there early so you don't miss out!
St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067

annual Festivals


Picture
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival brings us some of the best cuisine our city has to offer and in the way of seafood, some of Australia's best chefs are putting on "fin-to-tail" feasts featuring Victorian and Australian seafood. 

​Every year is different. Check out the huge variety of events at the festival in 2017, such as 
A Taste of the Ocean by John Susman, Brent Savage, Josh Niland and Ben Williamson.

The Annual Port Phillip Mussel and Jazz festival is a "seafood street-party" using the Bay's own mussels, celebrating them in all their glory. In 2017, The festival was held at The South Melbourne Market but stay tuned to see where it will be next year!
Picture
Picture

​The Hooked on Lakes Entrance event showcases the wonderful array of Victorian seafood caught by professional fishers.
Lakes Entrance is a fishing mecca, home to one of Australia's largest professional fishing fleets and popular with recreational fishers.
The event is based at the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Reserve overlooking the water.


​The Apollo Bay Seafood Festival is a highlight on the summer calendar in the Colac Otway region. It showcases the best seafood and produce that the area has to offer. The Western Victorian fisheries combine to bring Victorians and visitors the true quality that our fisheries produce - everything from Scallops and Squid, Rock Lobster, Snapper and Abalone.
Picture
Picture

​The
Kilcunda Rock Lobster Festival is another salute to Victoria's amazing seafood - specifically the Southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii). There's live music, lobster sales and lunches, and market stalls. Located on the scenic Bass highway in Gippsland, this lively annual summer event is not to be missed! 

​The 
Portarlington Mussel festival has been running for 11 years, and is a firm summer fixture on the Bellarine. The mussels are farmed just off the shore. In 2017 over 10 tonne of mussels were sold on the day! With 100 food and drink stalls, market stalls,  great local musicians playing across five stages, roving entertainers for the kids, plus art shows, cooking demonstrations and local beer and wine tastings, it is a great day out for the whole family! .
Picture
Picture


​The San Remo Fishing Village festival is held on the Foreshore at San Remo, with food, market stalls, rides and more.  Stroll through and enjoy the seaside atmosphere. Fun and entertainment for the entire family!
 

Healthy Seafood


Seafood has always been known as a healthy choice 

​Seafood is low in fat and high in protein. Not only do these characteristics mean it outperforms other meats, seafood also contains high levels of essential nutrients, minerals and oils which lead to a healthier diet such as: 
Calcium, Iodine, Vitamin D, Iron, Vitamin B12, Zinc, and Selenium​.

Seafood is high in Omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), long chain omega-3s’. Essentially, Omega-3's are 'good fats' which help  lower levels of triglycerides in the blood (fats associated with heart disease) and have been linked to stabilising your pulse. In turn, Omega-3 is vital in reducing blood pressure and preventing the build up of cholesterol. Supplements are often used to get the required Omega-3 but whats the point when you get it by eating Victorian fish! It's far more delicious and supports a sustainable local industry!
Picture

Super seafood


You may have heard that Australian seafood is healthy and safe but do you know why?

​This Super Seafood consumer booklet provides the everyday person with understandable and scientifically proven information about Australian seafood. It focuses on the nutritional value of each species in relation to other meats
​(Access the PDF by clicking on the picture below).
Picture

In 2012, the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre released the results of comprehensive laboratory testing conducted on fresh, Australian wild and farmed seafood. This was the first major update in more than ten years, utilising more advanced testing methods than previous studies. The study was also prompted by a scarcity of nutritional data for key Australian seafood species. Now consumers and industry have an accurate, up to date understanding of what’s in Australian seafood.

​The results of this scientific study have confirmed that Australian seafood is healthy, safe to eat and contains vital nutrients and omega 3. All species tested were compliant with Australian regulatory minimum levels for cadmium and lead. 


An example from the booklet showing the nutritional information of Wild Australian Sardines
Picture
 

Buying Fresh

 

While its great that we know Australian seafood is healthy, delicious and accessible,
​we need to know that its fresh, and how to store and freeze it.
HOW CAN YOU TELL FISH IS FRESH?

​Whole fish:
  • Bright bulging eyes
  • Bright red gills
  • Shiny tight scales
  • Firm body with elastic flesh (won’t leave an imprint)
  • Fresh smell of the sea.

Fish fillets/cutlets:
  • Flesh should be firm and glossy
  • Flesh should not be water-logged
  • Flesh should not show signs of discolouration
  • Fresh smell of the sea​
HOW DO YOU STORE FISH?

Whole fish:
  • Scale and remove gut, because the gut will cause the fish to deteriorate quickly

Whole fish and fillets/cutlets: 
  • Wash fish in cold water and dry on absorbent paper
  • Wrap fish in foil and place in a covered container
  • Do not wrap in plastic - it makes the fish sweat!
  • Place in fridge and use within 2-3 days
​
Picture
HOW DO YOU FREEZE FISH?

​Whole fish:
  • Remove gut
  • Leave scales as these act as an insulator, and will retain flavour and moisture
  • Whole fish can be wrapped in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer bag
  • Remove air from the bag and seal (this will prevent the fish from drying out and excess ice forming inside bag)
  • Lie flat in freezer

Freezing fillet/cutlets:
  • Fillets/cutlets should be individually wrapped in plastic and placed in a freezer bag
  • Remove air from the bag
  • Freeze flat​
Picture
HOW DO YOU FREEZE CRUSTACEANS?

​
Freezing lobsters/crabs/yabbies:
  • Do not need to be cleaned beforehand
  • Can be frozen raw (green) or cooked
  • Individually wrap lobsters and crabs in plastic wrap or foil then place in freezer bag
  • Remove air from the bag
  • Seal and freeze

Freezing prawns:
  • The best way to freeze prawns is in a frozen block
  • Prawns can be frozen raw (green) or cooked
  • Leave the shell and head on, as this acts as an insulator
  • Place prawns in a freezer proof container, filling to three quarters
  • Cover with water, seal with lid and tape around lid
 

Eating Victorian fish


There are a lot of ways to cook fish! Some people believe simple is best
​- just fry, bake, steam or BBQ with some seasoning and lemon and serve! 
If you are feeling adventurous, try some of the recipes below created especially for Victorian seafood by Milk and Honey
PROFISH
also has recipes every issue using Victorian species by a range of Chefs.

Okonomiyaki with Sea Scallops and Homemade Otafuku Sauce

​Smoked Trout and Potato Empanadas

Picture
Picture

Beer Battered Fish Tacos with Tomato & Kiwi Salsa and Yoghurt Lime Crema

Sea Scallops with Miso Mustard Sauce

Picture
Picture

There are many of Australia's most famous chefs, who rave about Victorian seafood
ensuring provenance is front and centre on their menu. This sometimes showcases 
where/which fishery it comes from and who it's caught by.

A few years ago, as a champion of the quality and sustainability of Victorian seafood,
​Neil Perry joined forced with Victorian fishers to make this short film about our Bays and Inlets fishery. 
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Our industry
  • News
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Media & Publications
    • Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG)
  • COVID-19 Information
  • Offshore Projects
  • Buy Vic seafood
  • NOTICEBOARD
  • CONTACT US