Ask for Aussie seafood this Christmas, says peak-body

Ask for Aussie seafood this Christmas © Sydney Fish Market. SML

Whether you're throwing a prawn on the barbie, ordering some snapper with beer batter or grilling your barra to perfection, Seafood Industry Australia, the national peak-body representing the Australian Seafood Industry has reminded consumers to "Ask for Aussie seafood" this Christmas.

"If you want to be certain you're eating sustainable, healthy, world-class seafood this Christmas, "Ask for Aussie seafood"," SIA CEO Jane Lovell said.

"Gone are the days of the traditional English roast. Now, the Aussie tradition of beautiful, fresh, local seafood has firmly cemented its place as the centrepiece for a quintessential Australian Christmas.

"Australia's commercial fishers are working hard in the lead up to the festive period to ensure we have access to a wide variety of world class seafood for Christmas.

"With beautiful warm weather expected for the big day, people don't want to be slaving over a hot stove, they are far more interested in buying a couple of kilos of fish, lobster or crab and sitting down to enjoy them, or tossing another prawn on the barbie while they unwrap another pressie.

"While the variety of Australian seafood on offer this Christmas period is endless, prawns are traditionally the biggest seller.

"Australians are expected to eat 50,000 tonnes of prawns this festive season, or 40 per cent of Australia's yearly prawn consumption. On average, 11 prawns are eaten by each man, woman and child during the festive season.

"When it comes to Christmas entertaining there are four magic words for last-minute drop-bys: ready-to-eat seafood. Whether it's cooked prawns or freshly shucked oysters, simply throw them on a platter with some lemon wedges, a zesty sauce, a few finger bowls and let your guests help themselves. Or, if a sit-down meal is more your style the tried and tested prawn cocktail is always a winner, while lobster rolls and seafood skewers go down a treat and a whole fish is a guaranteed show-stopper.

"To ensure you don't miss out on your Aussie seafood this festive season it's always a good idea to place an order with your fishmonger early.

"Seafood is part of the Aussie Christmas culture and remember to 'Ask for Aussie seafood'."