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“Tied-Up”
by Ian Given
Commercial mussel fishing in the Waikato region area is done by reeling in mussel encrusted
ropes suspended on floats. Several companies will take fishermen to the areas, but not to bring
back mussels. Snapper is the preferred catch, attracted to those lines for an easy meal. Rent a
kayak or fish aboard a boat or barge.
See
www.coromandelaquaculture.co.nz/musselbarge-fishing.Now, to eat those local oysters, mussels and other seafood, most local restaurants serve
offerings from the fresh bounty found nearby, but a few specialise. On Tiki Road near town,
stock up on your smoked seafood favourites at the
Coromandel Smoking Co
.
South on SH25 at the corner of the 309 Road is the renown and popular
Coromandel
Mussel Kitchen
, unique in that they collect, cultivate, harvest, cook and serve
their own green-lipped mussels – guaranteeing freshness that is full of
flavour and quality. By the bucket in a sauce of your liking! Mouthwatering!
Open from 9:30 everyday, but not for dinner till January.
Just a bit further on SH25 find
Coromandel Oyster Co
at Te Kouma
Harbour offering freshly harvested oysters from their own farms at gate
prices. Nothing better than an oyster that’s just come from the sea!
Also stock up on green-lipped mussels, local flounder and scallops
(when in season). Eat in, take out or they’ll courier anywhere in NZ.
“Tied-Up”
by Ian Given
Mussel Barge Fishin’ & mussel bucket Eatin’
Above left: Low tide at the neatly organized oyster beds. Above right: Kids try their luck at
the calm waters of the mussel farms aboard one of the barges from Mussel Barge Snapper
Safari located Te Kouma Bay at the south edge of McGregor Bay.
beds of pacific oysters
FISHING FOR SNAPPER
– Photo by Ian Patrick