Seafood lovers needed for ‘fish tasting’

Coffs Harbour seafood lovers are being asked to put their tastebuds to the test at a ‘fish tasting’, being held as part of an aquaculture research project at Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre.

Volunteers are needed to take part in the taste testing, which will be held on Tuesday, June 29, and Wednesday, June 30, at the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Researcher Dr Jeffrey Guy said the joint project between the NMSC and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation was investigating the potential of pond grown mulloway (jewfish) as a suitable product for the seafood market.

“Our research has shown that in the last five years imports of cheaper and smaller prawns from South East Asia, particularly China, have increased dramatically, seriously impacting the northern NSW prawn industry. As a result the industry is not as viable as it used to be. So, we began looking at opportunities for prawn farmers to diversifiy,” Dr Guy said.

“Mulloway are an estuarine fish ideally suited to northern NSW growing conditions and have been identified as a potential new culture industry that could be rapidly developed.”

Dr Guy said they had been working closely with a Yamba farmer for the last two years who had begun farming the mulloway in his prawn ponds.

“Although we now know that it is technically feasible to grow mulloway in prawn ponds we still need to undertake a market appraisal of the product through sensory evaluation,” he said.

"Attributes of visual appearance through smell, taste, texture, after-taste and overall liking of the product need to be determined.”

Dr Guy said he was looking for around 80 volunteers to take part in the fish tasting. Participants, who need to over 18 years of age, will be given a free guided tour of the National Marine Science Centre aquarium, and a family pass (valued at $25). They will also receive drinks and canapés as part of the fish tasting.

Anyone interested in participating should contact Jeff Guy on 66483913 as places will be limited.

Photo: A project is under way to investigate the potential of pond grown mulloway (jewfish) as a suitable product for the seafood market.