SAND WHITING

HABITAT
I live in shallow sandy bays, estuaries and beaches, forming large schools near river mouths and in surf zones.
Happy Fish sand whiting is wild caught in some of the most pristine and carefully monitored fishing grounds in NSW: the Manning River, Wallis Lake, Smiths Lake and the Myall Lakes. These are estuaries, brackish waters that are part salt and part sweet-water.

HABITS
My long snout is useful for bottom feeding, foraging for invertebrates, worms, small crustaceans and molluscs; and when I’m alarmed it’s useful to burrow in the sand. I normally spawn twice a year, depending on location and water temperature. I grow 25 cm to 50cm long, and can live over 10 years. 

HARVEST
Seine and gill nets. Seine (haul) nets surround an area and are hauled either from the shore or from the boat itself. Gill (mesh) nets are a large net wall that hangs vertically in the water column and the fish swim into it. Environmental impacts of harvest methods is largely dependant on HOW nets are used. For more on sustainability and quality measures visit individual fishermen profiles

HANDLING
Harvested with care and iced immediately, ensures fish are rendered unconscious in seconds. This reduces fish resistance, lactic acid and maintains glucose in the flesh, enhancing the delicate texture, sweet flavour and contributes to a longer shelf life.

TASTE
White fleshed, tender and moist, with low oil content. This is a prized eating fish and can be used for sashimi.