April 12, 2006

Australia looking for ways to increase seafood consumption

Adding value to seafood through convenient packaging, better labelling of origins and possible recipes will boost fish consumption in Australia, advises a new government-funded report.

The report, funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), found that while seafood consumption has risen, more could be done to lift sales in the sector.

Australian fish consumption is way below countries like Japan and Korea, where per capita consumption stood at 67kg and 55kg respectively, according to FAO figures cited by the report. In Australia, consumption is around 22kg.

Although Australians consume more fish last year than they did 15 years ago, most of the increase in consumption is at restaurants or at fast food outlets.

In-home consumption for some cities rose marginally and fell in others.

The seafood industry should address misperceptions that frozen seafood is unsatisfactory and promote good practices in the handling, sale and labelling of frozen seafood, the report said.