Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Joint Media Release

Senator Ian Macdonald
Australian Minister for Fisheries,
Forestry and Conservation

Christopher Pyne MP
Parliamentary Secretary
for Health and Ageing

7 March 2005

 

A fish called …?

A set of illustrated posters of Australian fish launched today will help Australian consumers and retailers recognise what they are ordering when they buy seafood.

The posters were launched at Parliament House by the Australian Fisheries Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne.

Senator Macdonald said the Australian seafood industry had an excellent reputation here and overseas, and it was vital to preserve that reputation through accurate and consistent naming of seafood.

In 2003-04, Australia’s fisheries produced 267,000 tonnes of seafood worth $2.2 billion.

“We all enjoy Australian seafood, but there has been a tradition of different seafood names in each State or Territory that often confuses suppliers, retailers and consumer,” Senator Macdonald said.

“I congratulate Seafood Services Australia, which has developed these three beautifully illustrated posters of commonly sold temperate and tropical fish and crustacea. Consumers and retailers will now know exactly what to order when buying seafood.”

Mr Pyne said that eating seafood was essential for good health.

‘We should all be eating more seafood for optimal health,” Mr Pyne said.

“The National Health and Medical Research Councils’ dietary guidelines recommend that we should all be eating two to three seafood meals a week. Yet the National Nutrition Survey shows that, on average, people who eat seafood eat only one meal of it a week.

“Fish is an excellent source of protein for all people. It is low in saturated fats, high in the ‘good’ unsaturated fat and omega three oils, and is an excellent source of iodine.”

Senator Macdonald and Mr Pyne urged any one selling fish to buy a set of posters and display them to consumers. The posters, which are available from Seafood Services Australia , cost $65 a set.

 

Media inquiries:
Senator Macdonald’s office:  David Crisafulli 0400 144 483
Mr Pyne’s office:  Adam Howard 0400 414 833