| Eat Local - Seafood |
I can't believe that I recently saw an advert for "organic fish". I always thought fish was fish but no - not anymore - with the advent of farmed fish we are now wondering where our fish comes from and just what is in it. I didn't ask any of the fish in this segment whether they were from the top of the south or were just visiting friends when I caught them but I think it's a fair bet that they were organic, even if I can't prove they were locals.
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We all know we should eat more seafood, Omega 3, brainfood, low fat, etc. etc. but lets face it, at around $20 a kilo, fresh filletted local fish is not a regular meal for many families.
And if you think you're getting your fish quota for the family with processed fish products like crumbed fish things - think again. Read the packet and you'll find it may contain fish - at least 50% in some cases. What's the other 50% ? - well your guess is as good as mine.
One solution if you want more fresh local seafood in your diet but can't "shell out" is to have a go at catching it yourself... |
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Not only is fishing great fun it's also free, you don't need a license or much gear. Just catch only what you need, respect the fish and the tides, play by the MAF rules and regulations and you'll be fine.
Start with something easy like cockles that don't swim away. You're allowed 150 per person per day. Rinse the sand off them and sit in a bucket of water overnight so they spit out all their grit.
Rinse again and steam open in a covered pot with a bit of butter, slosh of white wine or water, chopped spring onions and parsley.
Eat as is or in a cockle sandwhich with vinegar, or make into fried cockle patties held together with a bit of flour and a beaten egg. Strain the cooking liquid through a kitchen towel to catch any bits of grit then freeze as fish stock. |
Two of my favourite cockling spots are low tide just out from Motueka Port and the mud flats just before Little Kaiteriteri Beach in Golden Bay. My most favourite spot I will not be sharing. |
Fishing is good exercise too. I defy anyone to surf cast for an afternoon and not feel muscles they'd forgotten they had. Some people meditate, I go surf casting. It's a great way to let the world roll by and let your thoughts settle into shape.
If you actually want to catch dinner and not just meditate then I'd recommend digging some big pipi's from Rabbit Is. on a really low low tide and cooking them open in your oven until they're semi dry. Pick the meat out and store in a jar in your fishing bag - they make the best bait. Spinners are also good here. |
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One of the best ways to enjoy oily fish like kawhai, mackerel, salmon, terakihi or eel, is to smoke it. It's especially handy to know how to do this if you're in the wop wops away from a fridge and you're catching fish to take home.
Smoked fish will keep well out of the fridge for a few days as long as it's well cured first and well smoked. I usually carry a jar of brown sugar and salt (5:1 mix) in my fishing bag for just in case. Fillet your fish into sides leaving the skin on. Spread well with the sugar and salt and set it aside for an hour at least, longer if you can, to cure. The salt draws out the moisture from the fish and helps preserve it.
When you're ready to smoke the fish wipe off the fillets and sit somewhere to air dry off for a while if you can. Putting wet fish in a smoker gives you a soggy, cooked fish, smoky finish, rather than a nice dry smoked fillet. |
A smoker can be as simple as a wok with some manuka bark in the bottom, a wire rack sitting on it with the fish on top, cover the lot in tinfoil and bung it on the fire.
If you're not in the back of beyond, consider setting up a permanent fish smoker in your back yard. An old cabinet electric clothes dryer from the Recycle Centre set up on bricks makes the perfect smoker. Or you can buy a range of food smokers for your BBQ or purpose built ones. |
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| And if that all sounds a bit hard you can buy lovely local smoked fish from The Smokehouse at Mapua Wharf, who also have a stall at the Saturday market. Toad Hall in Motukea has also started smoking fish for sale and it's good. |
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Whitebaiting is another shore based fishing pastime that borders on meditation. It is for folks with flexible time schedules - those who can plan work around fishing rather than vice versa. If you're lucky enough to be one of those then make the most of it during the season from 15th August to end of November.
However, as any Whitebaiter will tell you, they were running last week, not today and nobody ever admits to catching any. You just have to go and take your chances and while catches here are not as stellar as those of our West Coast neighbours, they are still worth spending a tide on. I'm just not going to tell you where. And you do need to know the rules. |
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My fishing tips above are all for shore dwellers, not boaties or divers.
If you are lucky enough to have a boat the fishing possibilities get even better. Scallops, Paddle Crabs and serious boat line fishing.
If you have a boat but no friends to play with then let me know. I am looking for a boat buddy! |
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Local Fish Suppliers
We are lucky to live near a major port and if you want to buy your fish rather than catch it then long time local business, Guyton's Seafood, always has a good range of fresh local fish and shellfish. They have a shop on Wakefield Quay and another one in the Richmond Mall and they also offer a home delivery service - check out their website.
If you're in Motueka check out the Talleys Factory Shop for a range of frozen fish and scallops at very good prices. Take a right at the first roundabout and follow the road to the Talleys factory, the store is to the left of the front gate. |
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And if all else fails in your quest for local seafood you can always resort to Shark and Shavings. Fish and chips is one of the cheapest and easiest local fish meals you will find and it's not been too messed with yet - still just spuds and fish.
Most "Fish and Chip" fish fillets are from a fish called Rig, they dress it up as Lemon Fish or other fancy names but it's basically a form of shark and not bad to eat either.
If you catch one of these on a line you'll get a good workout and a full freezer.
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