Stinker’s Fishin’: Visit the Sydney Fish Market

FURTHER to my recent trip to the Sydney Fish Markets, which was an excursion that I would recommend to anyone who has any interest in fish or other creatures of the sea.

As I wandered around the expansive market area certain displays caught my attention.

I did mention a sign for “Flying Fish Roe” at $5.80 a punnet.

Never have I caught a flying fish and never have I known anyone who has.

Next to add to my confusion was a tray of extra small pipis at $35 a kilo.

I thought that there was a size limit on pipis – obviously not.

Next to catch my eye was a wobbegong shark for sale.

Again, I was surprised as I thought “Wobbys” were protected with a zero-bag limit.

By this time I’m starting to question my knowledge of fish.

There was abalone, way under size for a wild caught shellfish.

It was explained to me that they were farmed.

Boxes of frog mouth pilchards, yellowtail scad and slimy mackerel – all bait to me.

Another display that tested me was Star Gazer fillets at $30 a kilo.

My only memory of a Stargazer was from the beaches on the Far North Coast where this weird fish shuffled into the sand with only its eyes above the surface.

I have caught about six stargazers, none in Port Stephens.

Their numbers, I thought, were not enough to be a commercial fish.

Wrong again, marketed as Monkfish they are a popular table fish.

Farmed Murray Cod was $35 a kilo, carp and Australian salmon $4.50 a kilo.

Mulloway, bream, flathead, whiting, snapper, kingfish, tuna, shark – you name it, all on the floor of the market.

Prawn oil and cuttlefish ink were available in bottles along with numerous other “Taste Sensations from the Sea”.

I walked out of the market with far more questions than answers but very pleased that I took the time to go.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE