While we Australians love our seafood, it’s clear that most of us don’t eat the amount of variety that they should. We’re all guilty of feeling overwhelmed by choice at the fishmonger, and choosing the easy fall-back fish as a result (we’re looking at you, Atlantic Salmon and Barramundi). That’s why, at Sydney Fish Market, we want to encourage you to expand your seafood horizons, and try some new species.

Today, our recommendation is a species abundant in Australia, and packed with health benefits – the Australian Sardine! According to the Australian Health Survey, less than 1% of adults report eating sardines, even though they are considered one of the most nutritious and sustainable species of seafood. If your only experience with Sardines is mushy ones from a tin, we’d forgive you for being hesitant about them… But we’ve got three good reasons why you should be taking home some fresh, quality Sardines next time you visit Sydney Fish Market!

1. They are brimming with protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Australian Sardines are one of the richest sources of omega 3 oils on the planet! The proven benefits of omega 3 oils in the diet are improved blood vessel elasticity, reduction of inflammation, support of the immune system, the reduction of blood pressure, and much more. They pack a protein punch for such a small fish, with 20.8 grams of protein per 100g of fish. And on top of all that, they contain high levels of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, potassium, and niacin.

2. They’re guaranteed to be sustainable.

Although Sardines are caught in huge numbers in Australian waters, they have been confirmed as sustainable for many years, due to the fact that they are fast growing and quick to reproduce. The most recent Fish Stocks report, released on June 8^th 2021 by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, has confirmed once again that stocks of Australian Sardines are sustainable. This means that as a consumer, you can always feel comfortable purchasing this species, knowing that you are making a sustainable choice.

3. They are extremely affordable!

At Sydney Fish Market retailers, you can consistently find whole Australian Sardines available for under $10 per kilo, which makes them one of the most affordable whole fish available. They are easy to fillet yourself (check out instructions here), but for a small additional fee, you can ask your fishmonger to fillet them for you. Then, it’s as easy as dusting them in flour, pan-frying in olive oil, and garnishing with lemon and black pepper.