Are pipis sustainable | Marine Stewardship Council

Sustainable pipis are widely available in Australia and New Zealand. Just look for pipi products with the blue fish tick such as Goolwa Pipi Co.

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.

How do I know if pipis are 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.

Shuffling for Sustainability

Pitched in pre-dawn darkness, the Coorong Estuary is lit only by the glistening remnants of a supermoon. A crew of six men pile into the dual cab of a heavily modified Land Rover before it crawls onto an aluminium barge, custom built for the vehicle and its passengers.

Read the Story

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 at South Melbourne Market.

Watch video

One of the coolest seafood stories never told: sustainable pipis from Australia

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Pipi facts

Goolwa pipis are collected by hand using rakes and a technique known as the ‘pipi shuffle’ which has been used for generations. This well-known art has kept technology at bay, ensuring that beach craft and sustainability reign supreme.