The Endeavour prawn has traditionally been successfully marketed into the European Union but over the last few years a number of factors have forced this product from that market.
The two principal factors are:
1. The EU now tests extensively for cadmium levels in prawn and unfortunately on an irregular basis the level in Endeavour prawn exceeds the EU standard. Shipments have been rejected by Customs in the EU even
after testing in Australia has shown the product to be at acceptable levels.
2. Catches of Argentinian prawn have increased substantially over the last few years and due to their high quality and low price have become the prawn of choice for the EU.

This has created a situation in Australia where product being harvested in the Gulf of Carpenteria, Torres Strait and Queensland East Coast has become virtually unsaleable.

However, while work continues to be undertaken to resolve issues on Cadmium levels it is important that catchers look to diversify market opportunities, targeting and maximizing previously smaller local markets.

With catches from these areas exceeding 1,000tonnes each year it is imperative that alternative options be developed to maximize the economic yield of this catch.. Failure to do so will unquestionably accelerate the the parlous state of the Qld trawl industry. We believe that there exists a good opportunity to address this situation via sensible planning and marketing of this product.