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AAP
Farid Farid

'Architectural marvel': $800m market to hook tourists

After a decade under construction, the $836 million Sydney Fish Market is open for business. (Sitth Ditthavong/AAP PHOTOS)

Seafood lovers will be able to enjoy the fruits of the sea from dozens of retailers in a state-of-the-art facility that cost more than $836 million.

Spanning 26,000 square metres, punters can snap up the catch of the day while appreciating a breathtaking harbour view at Sydney's new fish markets.

Premier Chris Minns boasted the decade-long project opened on Monday was "the biggest and best fish market in the world" and would cater to local families and tourists.

"Whether you're coming here for caviar or crab sticks ... this place will have something for everybody," he said as he officially opened the massive building housing fishmongers and producers.

"It's a wonderful addition to the city's landscape."

He joked the stink will be a lot less with the state-of-the-art refrigeration systems.

The centrepiece of the new site, which Planning Minister Paul Scully described as an "architectural marvel", is the 200-metre-long roof with its floating canopy.

Sydney fish market
Premier Chris Minns was on hand as trade opened at the new Sydney Fish Market. (Sitth Ditthavong/AAP PHOTOS)

It boasts 400 light fixtures that will light up Sydney's skyline in the shape of fish scales.

About six million people a year are expected to pack the waterfront market to the gills, located not far from the city centre.

The market's chief executive said the new building was fit for purpose for a critical industry.

"Seafood is an essential part of our Australian life ... central to our celebrations, our summers and our cultural traditions of who we are as a coastal nation," Daniel Jarosch said.

fish market
About six million people are expected to head to the new fish market each year. (Sitth Ditthavong/AAP PHOTOS)

The building features live crustacean tanks and a brand-new auction room, both visible to the public.

Fred Holt, the director of building designer 3XN, said the public was key to breathing life into the seafood industry.

"We have turned an introverted industry inside out, putting the back-of-house operations on display and making the theatrics and intense choreography of seafood trading and movement part of the public experience," he said.

The new market - a stone's throw from the old site on Blackwattle Bay - was initially slated to open in 2023 and to cost $250 million.

sydney fish market
Live grouper are on sale at the new Sydney Fish Market. (Sitth Ditthavong/AAP PHOTOS)

But it was beset by myriad delays and costs more than tripled. 

The opposition claimed credit for commissioning the world-class waterfront destination project in 2017.

"This project was started thanks to the clear vision and ambition of the former NSW Liberal and Nationals government and it is fantastic to see it open its doors today," leader Kellie Sloane said on Monday.

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