SFM VISITS NEW ZEALAND KING SALMON

On Friday, 21 May 2010, Grahame Turk, Managing Director and Gus Dannoun, Supply Manager took a trip to Nelson, New Zealand to touch base with SFM's newest supplier, New Zealand King Salmon (NZ King Salmon), and to take a sneak peak at their main processing operation.

Since NZ King Salmon became a supplier to Sydney Fish Market's wholesale auction in March 2010, both Grahame and Gus had been keen to make the trip. Both had been impressed with the premium product being supplied, and keen to visit the sea farms in Marlborough Sounds, located at the top of New Zealand's South Island.

Upon arrival Grahame and Gus were warmly greeted by Grant Rosewarne, CEO of New Zealand King Salmon. After a quick introduction to the Operations Manager Garry Booth, the men were taken to a local beach (popular amongst the locals during summer!) for an important promotional photo shoot.

The visit to the beach was followed by a guided tour of the processing factory. It was here that Grahame and Gus were shown the steps the fish go through - from delivery from the farms, to the point where they are processed, packed and sent to NZ Salmon's vast number of customers across the world.

"The NZ King Salmon operation was very impressive; no wonder they are producing such high quality product."

"It was really exciting being amongst the action, seeing the fish inspected, graded and packed. With such fabulous product, it is no surprise demand is growing among our Buyers!" said Gus.

After viewing the processing factory the next stop on the tour was a King Salmon farm in Picton. The farm was located approximately an hour away and gave the men the opportunity to see the scenery of the local mountain roads.

From there they were taken by boat to see several other farms. One of which, at Clay Point, showcased state-of-the-art technology including a 'green' operation and an automated feeding system.

"I'm always thrilled when I get the opportunity to see the technological advancements that I read about in operation," said Gus.

NZ King Salmon is New Zealand's biggest integrated aquaculture producer, producing 7,500 metric tonnes of King Salmon annually, making it the world's biggest farmer and supplier of King Salmon.

NZ King Salmon has the highest natural oil content of all salmon - a rich source of healthy Omega-3.  

While NZ King Salmon has been selling elsewhere in Australia for 10 years, in only three months SFM has become the third largest customer.

Priced at $12.50 per kg, the gilled & gutted whole fish makes up the largest portion of the King Salmon range, however a variety of King Salmon value added products are also available.

For further information regarding NZ King Salmon products please contact SFM's Supply Department on 02 9004 1106.

SFM CALL FOR SPONSORS - 2010 FOR THE LOVE OF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Sydney Fish Market (SFM) invites you to become a sponsor of the 2010 For the Love of Seafood festival - featuring the Blessing of the Fleet.

The festival will be held at SFM on Saturday, 23 October 2010 as part of the Sydney Morning Herald's Sydney International Food Festival, which brings together some of Sydney's biggest names in gastronomy in an array of food focused events.

The festival attracts 'foodies', families and seafood lovers alike, and aims to promote the great variety, versatility and quality of Australian seafood, and the contributions and achievements of the Australian seafood industry. It will also feature SFM as a hub for Sydney's best seafood, and will raise awareness of Sydney's marvellous food culture.

As a feature event of the Sydney International Food Festival, the For the Love of Seafood Festival will be promoted in a special edition of The Sydney Morning Herald's Good Living supplement, as well as a variety of other media.

"2009 was the first time we held the festival, and it was a great success for us. I am confident in saying that this year's event will be even bigger and better than the last, with another fabulous line up of entertainment and talents, especially the reintroduction of the Blessing of the Fleet!" said Louise Shaw, Marketing & Communications Manager.

The festival will be hosted by food and wine connoisseur, Lyndey Milan. There will also be a number of special appearances by local fishing identities, renowned chefs, food experts and cookbook authors. Not to mention free face painting, a spaghetti eating contest, prize-winning competitions throughout the day and live music!

New to the line up is the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony to be held at the opening of the festival. The Blessing of the Fleet is a traditional ceremony that began centuries ago in Italian fishing communities. This Catholic ceremony involves a blessing from a priest which ensures a safe and bountiful season for the local fishing fleet.

Other entertainment will include SFM's renowned Get Fresh with Fish seafood cooking demonstrations, a Hook, Wine and Drinker session matching seafood with wines, Prawn Stars session, as well as a Chef Challenge cooking competition to crown the King/Queen of the Sea. In addition, special presentations throughout the day will focus on issues such as sustainability, food culture and life as a fisherman. 

As a sponsor you will have the unique opportunity to align your brand with SFM's values and connect with a highly targeted audience.

Multiple levels of sponsorship are available, and can be tailored to meet your requirements. If you wish to discuss sponsorship opportunities, get in quick by contacting Louisa Goodall on 02 9004 1146, or by emailing louisag@sydneyfishmarket.com.au.

SFM aims to ensure that each sponsor of the For the Love of Seafood festival develops a strong working relationship with SFM and other sponsors.

SYDNEY FISH MARKET TURNS FISH INTO FUNDRAISING

Sydney Fish Market put a pause on their daily seafood auction on Thursday, 20 May to help the Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia (NFAA) raise over $10,000 to help create awareness of the condition and provide much needed funds in the development of treatment for the disease.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is one of the most common genetic conditions and can affect anyone, regardless of family history, race, gender, or ethnic background.

NF is characterised by the growth of benign tumours called neurofibromas. These tumours can grow anywhere in the body where there are nerve cells. This includes nerves just under the surface of the skin, as well as nerves deeper within the body, spinal cord, and/or brain.

Common complications of NF sufferers include blindness, deafness, learning disabilities, chronic pain and social difficulties arising from the physical appearance of tumours growing just under the surface of the skin. The most common form of Neurofibromatosis is NF1 which affects one in 3,000 people.

"There is currently no treatment or cure," said Winston Chiu, buyer for De Costi Seafoods and committee member of the NFAA.

"If we all start building awareness, people will start questioning why there is no cure and hopefully lend some support. Without stronger awareness of NF I don't think there will ever be a desire or the will to find a cure."

The SFM/NFAA fundraiser consisted of SFM's regular seafood buyers biding on several charity items including an LG 42 inch LCD Television, a weekend away at a stunning acreage on the Shoalhaven River and a Daewoo 618L side-by-side refrigerator.

Sydney Fish Market and the NFAA would like to congratulate and thank the winning bidders; Peter Rota from De Costi Seafoods, Zeng Wei from Tasmania Great City Group, and Allan Ong from Chullora Fish Market for their generosity.

Special thanks also goes to Peter Poulos, of Poulos Bros Seafoods, and Tony Muollo, of Transtasman Fisheries, for donating $1,000 each to the charity as well as all the other buyers who contributed on the day. Mention also goes to Sydney Fish Market's head auctioneer Steve Annesley (aka "Joe") for volunteering his time to call the auction.

"We are really thankful for the generosity shown at the charity auction. We can now use the money to help run other fundraising events and make sure we can continue research into developing treatment," said Mr Chiu.

Early this year, with funds raised through various initiatives, the NFAA commenced funding a $500,000 research project with Westmead Children's Hospital to develop a medicinal treatment to slow tumour growth.

The money will also be used to help the NFAA hold a string of charity events throughout the year and support its bid to register as a national charity over the coming months.

For more information about NF or future fundraising activities visit www.nfaa.org.au

FISH OUT OF WATER - MARKETING ASSISTANT TACKLES THE HIGH SEAS

 

Ben Baltins, Marketing Assistant

It was a 40 minute steam out to the heads. I'd taken the advice of well wishers and kept my eyes focussed on the horizon to help stave nausea. Paul Bagnato, Captain of the Arikiwa, guided his fishing boat under the Harbour Bridge, past Darling Harbour, Manly Ferries, and further out past Sydney's elite Eastern Suburbs and flashy seafood restaurants.

The deckhands, Tony and Alex, were busy rushing around deck tying off ropes, stacking crates and ducking below deck whilst I enjoyed the harbour tour. The cabin reminded me of a floating family caravan that had seen way too many summer holidays, but still retained some 'modern' creature comforts like TV and DVD player, fridge and electric frypan. The Arikiwa was older than me.

Before my departure I'd been told horror stories of crippling, unremitting sea sickness and warnings to pack Kwells, NOT ginger travel sickness tablets. Paul assured me as we passed the heads that this was going to be some of the calmest ocean he'd seen in months. My eyes were glued to the horizon still trying to hold down lunch.

But there was some relieving news too. Paul had explained to me that all fishing boats were monitored by the Fisheries Officers. I initially thought this was to ensure fishers' safety, but I later learned it was to ensure fishers remained in designated fishing areas... one of the many initiatives designed to ensure fishing sustainability.

After a few hours of steaming across the open ocean, the boat slowed and I sensed it was time for work to begin. Paul's deckhands began unspooling the net, while Paul took charge of the winch - lowering the net to a depth of 60-70m. Tony and Alex precariously pushed hefty steel sinkers clear of the boat. I was struggling to stand upright as the boat erred from port to starboard, bow to stern.

The Arikiwa cruised for about two hours at three knots for our first 'shot'. There was an apparent art to ensuring the net was completely cast and avoided hidden obstacles.

"You know, I make this look pretty easy because I'm a natural. But I've got to be careful out here, there are reefs, rocks and wrecks that I have to get us through," said Paul.

"We can't even go out when it's too windy or the swell's too big, I've had some close calls."

When the nets had been cast, Tony and Alex took a break and I'd found out that Tony (52) had been doing this since he was 14.

"Well, my brother was going out with this Italian girl who's family were fishers down in Victoria, and that's where I got my start and I guess I just kind of liked it," said Tony.

It was dark by the time the net began to make its long ascent back to sea level. Under the intense glare of the Arikiwa's flood lights, the net was unloaded onto the deck. Paul swung the boat around and the deckhands set about casting the net again. Without breaking stride, Alex and Tony hurriedly began sorting fish, bent over while the boat rocked, ensuring the catch met legal size and were sorted into respective crates.

I considered offering to help but decided against it. I definitely wasn't cut out for avoiding Ocean Jacket barbs, compensating for the swaying deck and battling nausea. This line of work would definitely take some getting used to.

I could see large grey shapes circling us and darting underneath the boat. I was clinging to the deck lines with a newly developed fear of falling overboard. To my relief the shapes surfaced for air... dolphins. Then darker shapes joined them, clearly showing an interest in the contents of the net. I couldn't believe seals came out this far hoping for a free meal.

Alex cleaned crates of fish while Tony be-headed and gutted Ocean Jackets. Crates full of fresh seafood were passed below deck and were immediately packed with ice ready for sale at the Sydney Fish Market auction the following day.

Meanwhile, Paul guided the boat in search of the next position and meticulously noted the number of crates and types of species we had brought on deck for government records. Tony and Paul conferred on where they should try next in hope of a better yield, preferably with less Ocean Jacket.

"They're not worth much for us, I mean they taste good and you can buy them cheap at the shops but they're extra work for us. Their barbs can damage other fish and we really don't get much for them. We'll try and get more Whiting tonight," said Paul.

By morning the Arikiwa had completed six shots bringing in what Paul described as a pretty average catch.

I'd like to thank Paul, Tony and Alex for their generosity and for giving me an insight into life onboard a fishing boat. It was definitely a fantastic experience.

NIGEL COCKS

SFM is pleased to announce the addition of Nigel Cocks to the Marketing Team at SFM.  Nigel has taken on the role of Marketing Executive replacing David Sandrussi. 

Nigel has held various positions within the Marketing Communications industry, predominantly working in sales and marketing roles in regional and community television.

"Although I have big shoes to fill and a steep learning curve ahead of me, I'm certainly looking forward to contributing to the team behind such an iconic and important Sydney landmark," Nigel said.

Welcome aboard Nigel!