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Celebrating Sea Country with Mindy Woods
Across Australia, First Nations peoples have cared for Sea Country for tens of thousands of years, developing deep knowledge of the oceans, waterways, seasonal cycles, and harvesting practices that continue to inspire us today.
Celebrating Sea Country brings together seafood, native Australian ingredients, and contemporary cooking through a special collaboration between the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), acclaimed chef Mindy Woods, and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
This free cookbook invites you to explore delicious recipes while discovering the the flavours of Sea Country, First Nations food knowledge, and considering the impact of the choices we make every day.
Download the cookbook and experience the flavours, stories, and connections that make Australia’s Sea Country so extraordinary.
Meet Mindy Woods
Chef Mindy Woods is a proud Bundjalung woman, restaurateur, educator, and advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty.
Known for championing native Australian ingredients and sharing First Nations culture through food, Mindy has built a reputation for creating meaningful culinary experiences that connect people to Country.
For Celebrating Sea Country, Mindy has created a collection of recipes that showcase native ingredients alongside ASC-labelled seafood. Each dish reflects her passion for culture, connection, and the belief that food can be a powerful way to share knowledge and bring people together.
From finger lime and lemon myrtle to saltbush, karkalla, and paperbark, the recipes celebrate ingredients that have been used and understood by First Nations communities for generations.
As Mindy explains, food is more than a meal. It is a way of honouring Country, carrying knowledge forward, and creating deeper connections between people and place.
Why Seafood Matters
Seafood plays an important role in feeding communities around the world and is enjoyed by billions of people every day.
As demand continues to grow, the choices we make become increasingly important.
ASC works with seafood farmers, supermarkets, brands, and seafood lovers around the world to drive positive change across the seafood industry. Through independent certification and the ASC label, consumers can make informed choices and support farms that are committed to high environmental and social standards.
Every recipe in this cookbook features ASC-labelled seafood that can be found in Australian supermarkets, making it easy to recreate these dishes at home while discovering new flavours and ingredients.
Discover Native Australian Ingredients
One of the unique features of the cookbook is its introduction to native Australian ingredients.
Alongside the recipes, readers will discover ingredients such as Davidson Plum, Finger Lime, Lemon Myrtle, Saltbush, Karkalla, Macadamia, Bunya Nut, and Paperbark. These ingredients bring distinctive flavours, textures, and stories to Australian cooking while highlighting the richness of First Nations food knowledge.
Whether you are completely new to native ingredients or already enjoy cooking with them, the cookbook provides an accessible introduction to incorporating these uniquely Australian flavours into everyday meals.
Celebrating Sea Country with the Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is a proud partner in the Celebrating Sea Country initiative.
Through exhibitions, research, collections, and community partnerships, the Museum helps share the stories of Australia’s maritime history and the enduring relationship First Nations peoples have with Sea Country.
The Museum’s Indigenous programs highlight thousands of years of cultural stewardship, knowledge sharing, and connections to land and sea. Through collaborations with communities across Australia, the Museum works to elevate First Nations voices and inspire future generations to value and care for Sea Country.
Visitors can continue their Celebrating Sea Country journey at the Museum, with limited edition complimentary printed copies of the cookbook available from the Gift Shop throughout July in celebration of NAIDOC week 5-12 July (or until they run out)
A selection of Mindy Woods’ recipes will also be featured for a limited time at Harbour Watch Café, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the flavours of Sea Country while exploring the Museum.
What’s Inside the Cookbook?
Inside you’ll find:
- Six exclusive seafood recipes created by Mindy Woods
- Easy-to-follow cooking instructions
- Information about native Australian ingredients
- Insights into the ASC label and seafood farming
- Inspiration for creating delicious seafood dishes at home
From Crispy Popcorn Prawn Sandos and Paperbark Smoked Salmon to Seared Abalone and Barramundi with Green Mango and Finger Lime Salad, every recipe has been designed to be vibrant, approachable, and full of flavour.
Celebrating Sea Country is an invitation to explore Australia’s unique food culture through seafood, native ingredients, and the stories that connect us to Sea Country.
Download your free copy today and discover how great food can help connect us to culture, community, and a future where we all play a role in creating positive change.
Look for the ASC Label
When shopping for seafood, look for the ASC label.
The ASC label helps seafood lovers make informed choices by providing assurance that products come from farms independently assessed against recognised environmental and social standards.
It’s a simple way to choose seafood with confidence while supporting positive change across the seafood industry.
Choose the ASC label for change.