Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Catch and cook fish is a great step towards becoming food self sufficient
Fish is a healthy, high-protein food and full of Omega-3 fatty acids. An essential fats that our bodies don’t produce on their own.
Learning to catch and cook your fish is the best way to guarantee yourself fresh and locally caught fish all the time
Not much can beat serving up freshly caught fish or seafood for family and friends!
Try this recipe of Pan seared trout crispy skin with dill and caper gremolata at home.
It’s gluten free, healthy, easy-to-make and delicious!
I grew up fishing with my family when I was a kid so it’s a very natural activity for me to do.
It brings me outside to the waterfront.
It's very relaxing and a great way to switch off!
If I'm lucky, I come home with a feed as well.
My recipe of baked herb crusted cod with fresh herbs is quick and easy to prepare.
Our kids like fishing too. There are so many adventures for them to explore by the river or beach and they get excited to eat what we catch afterwards. A great family day out!
Collecting Shellfish
Collecting mussels or clams from the beach is another highlight and so easy to do.
No gear or skills required. Just an exploring mind and a bucket.
Read my full seafood harvest guide here
My wild mussels in curry, coconut and lime is an easy and delicious recipe to try
It's very easy for the kids to get stuck in too. The catch limit per person is good and it makes it definitely worthwhile. At the right spots you are almost guaranteed a good feed, which makes it fun for all of us.
Check out my delicious clam fritters with ranch dressing recipe for a for a light seafood meal
Diving/Spearfishing
Diving and spearfishing are something I only got into over the last few years and to be honest don’t do it as much as I would like.
With young kids it’s a bit harder to get away as they are too young to dive them self or look after themselves on the beach.
However, it's one of my favorite things to do and a real treat when we do get away. The time just flies when I’m under water. Such an awesome adventure and great way to catch fish to eat.
I have found a few diving spots that I like and know well. I'm almost certain to come home with a catch of Paua (abalone) every time.
See my Sauted Paua with garlic, white wine and cherry tomatoes recipe
Spearfishing requires more skills and it's fair to say my skills are lacking. When I do spear a fish though it's very exciting and a real treat to cook up the catch.
Whitebait
Spring is the whitebait season in New Zealand. We make the most of it and go out a lot during the short season.
The kids enjoy spending a day by the river too. There is so much to do and explore while waiting for the fish to swim into the net.
Basic equipment and plenty of patience is what you need to catch whitebait. It is something anyone can learn to do
Whitebait is a great food source.
Healthy, quick to prepare and since they are most often eaten in an egg mix it's also a filling, satisfying lunch. They also freeze well which makes them the perfect catch. If we are lucky enough to catch a lot it can easily be sold or bartered.
Whitebait is healthy and quick to prepare. Fritters and crispy fried are my favorite ways to cook them.
Do research and find out what fishing is available near where you live and have a go at catching fish and eating it yourself. Cooking up and eating your catch is very satisfying and the best, healthiest and most sustainable way to eat and enjoy fish and seafood.
You might also like my pages about hunting for food and home grown food. You can read about my food journey and how to be self sufficient here
Each season has something fresh and exiting to offer.
Read about the different seasons below, what they bring and how I cook and eat self sufficient food all your around. It’s very simple and without expensive set up costs or equipment’s.
