Sardines
Standard Names: Australian Sardine, Sardinops sagax, and possible other species, not differentiated at market
Sardines, Pilchards and other offshore schooling fish are caught by purse seine around the coasts of Australia from southern QLD to WA.
Though one of the major Australian fisheries (Australian Sardines account for the highest individual catch of a single species by volume in Australia).
Increasingly, WA Sardines have been marketed for human consumption, with the season peaking during winter.
Seasonality
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cooking Notes
Australian Sardine is a strong-flavoured finfish and strong-flavoured ingredients are recommended. It can be cooked whole, and is well suited to grilling, accompanied by strong flavours. It is great in a tandoori or skewered.
Sustainability Notes
Natural fluctuations in sardine abundances can make setting catch quotas difficult, although they are recognised as a robust species able to replenish populations quickly when conditions are favourable. SA has consistently reduced interactions with threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) through the introduction of a code of practice, improved fishing methods and increased observer coverage.