Pipis

What are pipis?

The pipi (Donax deltoides), also known as the Coorong or Goolwa cockle in South Australia, is a small clam-like bivalve (shellfish) that has provided communities with sustenance for thousands of years. 

Whether steamed on the BBQ, smothered in butter and garlic, or tossed through spaghetti with chilli and lemon, savvy chefs and seafood lovers alike are hooked, and the humble pipi's popularity is growing exponentially. 

Building a sustainable future: Culture, environment and partnership with Goolwa PipiCo

For thousands of years, the Ngarrindjeri people have sustainably harvested kuti (pipis) along the Coorong coastline. Their traditional practice, known as the “pipi shuffle", where they use feet to gently disturb the sand and bring pipis to the surface, has supported both their cultural practices and the coastal ecosystem for generations.

 

However, by the late 20th century, commercial fishing had severely depleted pipi stocks. In 2008, management reforms from the South Australian government, alongside MSC certification helped to rebuild and establish the fishery as a reputable and sustainable pipi company.

 

A turning point came in 2016, when Derek Walker, a Ngarrindjeri man with both cultural and practical fishing knowledge, reconnected with Roger Edwards, the future chair of Goolwa PipiCo. Their shared vision led to discussions with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, and by 2019, with backing from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Kuti Co was born.

 

A Ngarrindjeri owned enterprise, Kuti Co works in direct partnership with Goolwa PipiCo to embed Aboriginal leadership in the pipi industry.

A model for sustainable cultural and environmental practice

Kuti Co blends traditional and modern practices, employing Ngarrindjeri fishers and young community members while respecting cultural protocols. Kuti Co’s work is all about “opportunity to provide our people employment and training,” not just commercial success, said Walker in an interview with NITV.

This partnership between Kuti Co and Goolwa PipiCo stands as a unique example of how cultural renewal, sustainable seafood and ethical business go hand in hand.

Are pipis sustainable?

Pipis carrying the MSC blue fish tick are certified sustainable. MSC labelled pipis come from a fishery that has been independently assessed to the MSC Fisheries Standard. Companies using the blue fish tick all along the supply chain have been assessed to ensure products can be traced back to an MSC certified fishery.

Where can I buy sustainable pipis?

Pipis with the blue fish tick are available through Goolwa Pipi Co. branded products. You can find them in Woolworths supermarkets and specialty fish shops, including The Fish Shoppe (VIC) and Harley & Johns Seafood (NSW).

Find out more about where to buy sustainable seafood.

Pipi recipes

Learn about pipi fishing

Located on the Coorong lagoon, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert near Adelaide, and the adjacent coastal waters of the Southern Ocean, Lakes and Coorong is unusual. Based in a national park and protected wetland that contains three distinct ecosystems, it was the first community fishery in Australia to achieve MSC certification back in 2008.

Pipi or Coorong cockles are native to South Australia and are harvested by hand using rakes.

Watch pipi fishing

Explore more sustainable fish to eat

Find more sustainable seafood species that are MSC certified in Australia and New Zealand.

Explore the sustainable seafood guide.