2023 is not the first year that Collison Reef Fish has been recognised as the best in its class. The Bowen-based fishery, run by Ben and Coralie Collison, was also awarded a gold medal in the delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards for Queensland in 2019.

This was specifically for the couple’s sustainably sourced, handline-caught coral trout – trout of which National Judge Matt Moran enthused: “It’s a really well-handled, great product. The way that it’s caught and brain-spiked? It’s second to none.”

So, it should come as no surprise that the skilled fishers have taken out the top spot in Australia in the 2023 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards in the From the Sea category. The fish themselves are sourced from the Great Barrier Reef and surrounds – some of Australia’s most pristine waters.

The Collisons’ commitment to animal welfare and preservation of trout is unparalleled, too. “I’m a Reef Guardian Fisher,” Ben tells delicious. “This is recognition for going above and beyond in helping sustainability of the fishery, the Great Barrier Reef and the environment.”

The team are also members of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association and sit on the local marine advisory committee. The pair also assists fisheries monitors, scientists from James Cook University and, of course, fellow fishers.

But what does fellow National Judge – pioneer of sustainable seafood, Josh Niland – think of the quality of the coral trout that the Collisons are providing? “I’ve never cooked a better fish than Ben’s coral trout,” he says. So, what’s the secret to the best fish the Saint Peter chef has ever cooked? 

“Every single fish we sell is respected, cared for and packaged by Coralie and myself,” Ben says. 

This is true handline fishing by a small team of talented fishers – a fleet of five boats 160 kilometres out to sea, with fishers fishing with one hook, one line and one sinker. Not only does this maintain the integrity of the fish, it minimises the loss of bycatch, which can quickly be released back into the water, unharmed.

The fish that make it onboard are quickly slaughtered via the Japanese practice of ikejime, a method of brain-spiking that induces instant death, which is considered to be the fastest and most humane method. Each fish is then packed with gel packs instead of ice, and then air-freighted to its destination on the same day it has been caught. The result is incredibly fresh, high-quality fish that is truly deserving of a gold medal.

Related news: The 2023 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Award winners have been revealed!