Daydream Island’s guests are able to dine on the freshest coral trout, top quality tuna and Spanish mackerel in the Whitsundays after the resort last year became the first in the region to gain access to a commercial fishing license.
The idea was the brainchild of Daydream Island’s skipper and commercial fisherman, Ashley Matthews.
“There is nothing better than the taste of really fresh fish,” said Daydream Island’s Food & Beverage Manager Jason Winter, who heads the resort’s four dining venues including its signature restaurant, Mermaids.
“When our guests visit Daydream Island they are surrounded by the magnificent waters of the Whitsundays and expect to sample some of the great fish of the area.
“We decided it was a fresher and more unique option to go out and catch our own as much as possible.
The only resort in the Whitsundays that contracts professional fishermen to catch fresh fish for the island’s restaurants, Daydream Island adheres to the strict regulations governing fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area and does not catch any protected or endangered fish species.
“There are a lot of steps needed to be taken when seeking access to a commercial fishing license but we were willing to go through this in an effort to offer the freshest fish possible to our guests,” Mr Winter said.
“We are mainly after the fleshy white meats of fish like coral trout and Spanish mackerel, all fish that are abundant in the area.
“Fresh fish really does taste amazing; the flesh is plump to touch and the skin is nice and punchy. It literally falls apart and melts in the mouth.”
One of Mr Winter’s personal favourites is coral trout served on a bed of traditional Thai salad with Nam Jim dressing, including a dash of garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander root and lemon juice.
“Our food comes with a story attached to it; when our guests visit the Whitsundays they want to experience the area and its produce,” Mr Winter said.
“What better way to do it than to offer them the freshest fish caught in the waters off the island?”
Daydream Island utilises fresh fish obtained from Ashley Matthews’ commercial fishing trips whenever possible and augments its seafood supplies from local suppliers.
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