There’s been a rise in the number of medals awarded for Australia’s best seafood produce in the seafood section of the Royal Agricultural Society’s annual food awards that has reflected a boost in the quality being presented, say the judges.
There was a particular rise in the quality of Australian Barramundi, the category included only for the first time last year, and Pacific oyster entrants.
Judges said the most impressive result was from a new entrant, Broken Bay Oysters, a newly established aquaculture co-op from the Hawkesbury region, which is trying to regain momentum after the effects of the QX disease.
QX hit the Hawkesbury River three years ago, destroying the region’s Sydney Rock oyster production. The small group of remaining growers joined forces in an attempt to redevelop confidence in the Hawkesbury region and get its oyster production back on track.
Broken Bay Oysters began farming Pacific Oysters for the first time, as well as adopting the latest technology to create a QX resistant crop of Sydney Rock Oysters. It was awarded one of the three silver medals, in a win that indicates the Hawkesbury River will again be a powerful contender within the aquaculture industry.
Pristine Oyster Farm from South Australia won silver for its Pacific Oysters.
Meanwhile the first ever silver medal in the Barramundi category went to CQ Barra from Queensland.
Chairman of judges Grahame Latham said the standard of the aquaculture competition had increased from previous years. “In particular the first silver in the Barramundi class was awarded, indicating a positive step forward in this category.”
And the winners are:
SILVER
Broken Bay Oysters, Brooklyn NSW—Pacific Oysters
CQ Barra, Chelona QLD—Barramundi
Pristine Oyster Farm, Coffin Bay SA—Pacific Oysters
BRONZE
Daintree Saltwater Barramundi, Wonga Beach QLD—Barramundi Large Whole Fish, Barramundi Plate Size
Merimbula Gourmet Oysters, Pambula NSW—Merimbula’s Gourmet Large Angasi Oysters
Tasea Enterprises, Hobart TAS—St Helen’s-Tasea Pacific Oysters
Tasmanian Pitt Water Oysters, Rosny Park, NSW—Lease 80 Pacific Oysters