Innovation to limit seafood fraud post-COVID-19

Abstract

Seafood is an important source of protein and micronutrients, but fishery stocks are increasingly under pressure from both legitimate and illegitimate fishing practices. Sustainable management of our oceans is a global responsibility, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water . In a post-COVID-19 world, there is an opportunity to build back better, where locally sourced food via transparent supply chains are ever-more important. This article summarises emerging research of two innovative case studies in detecting and validating seafood provenance; and using alternative supply chains to minimise the opportunity for seafood fraud in a post-COVID-19 world.

The 8th World Fisheries Congress: sharing our oceans and rivers, a vision for the world’s fisheries

“…Impacts were likely similar around the world with containment measures leading to loss of export markets and domestic dine-in markets for live and fresh seafood. During COVID-19 alternative supply chains aimed at getting close to the direct consumer were utilised (Lindley et al 2023 ). In a post-COVID-19 world, use of alternative supply chains may minimise seafood fraud providing increased resilience to globalised supply chains (Lindley et al 2023 ).…”

“…During COVID-19 alternative supply chains aimed at getting close to the direct consumer were utilised (Lindley et al 2023 ). In a post-COVID-19 world, use of alternative supply chains may minimise seafood fraud providing increased resilience to globalised supply chains (Lindley et al 2023 ). Genetic and biochemical tags may also help with traceability (Lindley et al 2023 ; Reis-Santos et al 2023 ).…”

“…In a post-COVID-19 world, use of alternative supply chains may minimise seafood fraud providing increased resilience to globalised supply chains (Lindley et al 2023 ). Genetic and biochemical tags may also help with traceability (Lindley et al 2023 ; Reis-Santos et al 2023 ). Further, Reis-Santos et al ( 2023 ) focused on the full range of information that could be extracted from otoliths and other calcified structures to inform sustainable management including traceability and provenance.…”

Food fraud: insights from investigating a near-fatal poisoning with global implications

“…The result can be an inferior product that is sold at a premium price, which cheats but otherwise does not harm consumers. Common examples include diluting high-grade honey with sugar syrups 3,4 , or cheaper fish for more desirable species 5,6 .Cases can also result in harm when a food is adulterated with a toxic substance. Particularly widespread cases occurred when lead chromate was added to turmeric 7,8 .…”

“…The result can be an inferior product that is sold at a premium price, which cheats but otherwise does not harm consumers. Common examples include diluting high-grade honey with sugar syrups 3,4 , or cheaper fish for more desirable species 5,6 .…”