The US Washington State Governor, Jay Inslee, has signed House Bill (HB) 1200 into law, which begins to tackle seafood fraud in the state – a move which has been welcomed by conservation group, Oceana.
The group’s latest research found that 18% of fish sampled and sold in Seattle is mislabelled leading to the conclusion that seafood fraud is “rampant” across the nation.
Whit Sheard, Pacific Counsel and Senior Advisor with Oceana, said: “This bill is a win for seafood processors, fishermen, consumers, and, ultimately, healthy and productive oceans."
HB 1200 begins to tackle seafood mislabelling in several ways. Firstly, it requires that any fresh, frozen, or processed fish and shellfish be labelled by the common name so buyers can make an informed purchasing decision.
Secondly, the bill specifically addresses halibut mislabeling by requiring that only the species Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Atlantic halibut) or Hippoglossus stenolepsis (Pacific halibut) can be labeled as halibut. Many lower value species of flatfish are often labeled as ‘halibut,’ but are actually species such as blueline tilefish.
Finally, the legislation requires that salmon species be labeled by their scientific or accepted common name. This is especially important in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska where consumers face the possibility of farmed Atlantic salmon being substituted for species of wild caught Pacific salmon.
HB 1200 passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously.
