A major new research project claims that shoppers are being confused by eco-labels on fish, and has called for better information for consumers.
Published today, the Review of Fish Sustainability Information Schemes is a comprehensive review of the various types of advice available to seafood consumers, including eco-labels and recommendation lists on fish to buy or avoid.
The researchers conclude that labelling schemes can be confusing as they are too simplistic, and that the high cost of certification may discriminate against developing economies.
The report, conducted by independent research firm MRAG Ltd and moderated by Professor James Young of the University of Stirling, argues that consumers must have access to better information and explains how the current schemes have the capacity to add to consumer confusion where there is inconsistency.
The review notes that certification schemes and recommendation lists have had substantial success in increasing awareness of the issues associated with sustainable fishing and aquaculture within a limited number of mainly developed country markets. However the review also notes that fish products from developing economies, upon which there is considerable reliance, can easily be denied access to markets if they cannot afford to produce the data required by certification schemes.
The report benchmarks ‘best practice’ for advice of this kind largely upon the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) which published guidelines on the eco-labelling of fisheries products some years ago.
The report proposes core quality standards including transparency, relevance, accuracy, and peer review which would improve the potential for inconsistent and sometimes conflicting advice which emanates from some advisory lists which are often dated and too general to be of real value.
Seafish, the UK authority on seafood, has welcomed this report.
To read the report please click here.
