A long-running Sunshine Coast seafood business has a “foot in the door” to one of the biggest markets in the world.
Mooloolaba Fisheries has started exporting whole fresh southern bluefin tuna to China, and there’s optimism that it could evolve in years to come.
Recently appointed manager and former globetrotting chef Paul Schenk said there was unexpected and significant interest from buyers there.
“We have experienced a very sudden approach from a number of companies in China for this specific fish this season,” he said.
“We are not sure where this has stemmed from, but the interest is obvious.
“It’s great to get some of our finest wild-caught fish into this market.”
They have sent two 1200kg loads to two cities in China in recent weeks.
Bluefin tuna is one of the most prized fish in the world and is renowned for its texture, taste and colouring. High season is short, between July and September.
Mooloolaba Fisheries sources southern bluefin tuna from off the coast of New South Wales, near Uladulla.
It’s flown to the Sunshine Coast and then sorted and flown from Brisbane to China, all within one day.
Mooloolaba Fisheries has sold bluefin tuna to companies in the United States and Japan for years, but Mr Schenk said the recent interest from China could take things to “the next level”.
“It’s a country with a large population and when they get a bit of a taste of it and realise how good it is, then the demand should grow,” he said.
“Supplying to a couple of different cities there is a good start, and it sets us up well and truly for next year. It’s a good foot in the door.
“The hardest thing is getting the first one done because of the paperwork and logistics but once the path is made, it becomes easier.”
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He hoped it could also pave the way for the business to export its frozen southern bluefin tuna, which he Mr Schenk said was as good as fresh due to its state-of-the-art process.
“We have the technology, developed here in Mooloolaba, to freeze tuna loins and when you defrost them, they defrost as fresh,” he said.
“The majority of what we do is freeze southern bluefin tuna loins, so we’re building relationships (with Chinese companies) with the hope that they start biting on our frozen product, which is stunning.”
The 41-year-old Mooloolaba Fisheries owns and operates the Point Cartwright Seafood Market, Noosa Junction Seafood Market and Fisheries on the Spit at Mooloolaba. It also has a seafood processing factory on the Mooloolaba wharf, which produces and sells the wholesale and premium retail packaged seafood.
