Low mislabeling rates indicate marked
improvements in European seafood market
operations

Mariani, S; Griffiths, AM; Velasco, A; Kappel, K; Jerome, M; Perez-Martin, RI; Schroder, U; Verrez-Baggins, V; et al

Abstract

Over the span of a decade, genetic identification methods have progressively exposed the inadequacies of the
seafood supply chain, revealing previously unrecognized levels of seafood fraud, raising awareness among the
public, and serving as a warning to industry that malpractice will be detected. Here we present the outcome of
the latest and largest multi-species, transnational survey of fish labeling accuracy to date, which demonstrates
an apparent sudden reduction of seafood mislabeling in Europe. We argue that recent efforts in legislation,
governance, and outreach have had a positive impact on industry regulation. Coordinated, technology-based,
policy-oriented actions can play a pivotal role in shaping a transparent, sustainable global seafood market and
in bolstering healthier oceans.

Citation

operations. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 13(10), 536-540. https://doi.org/10.1890/150119

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
• Print ISSN: 1540-9295
• Electronic ISSN: 1540-9309
• Publisher: Ecological Society of America
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 536-540
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/150119
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/150119
• Related Public URLs: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/fron
• Additional Information: Funders : UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs;EU Atlantic Area Programme; Projects : LABELFISH project; Grant Number: FA0116; Grant Number: 2011‐1/163