The fish you buy is not always what you think it is.
On 27 May, 2011, Commissioner Damanaki, Europe’s fisheries Commissioner, spoke about combating fish fruad with technology. A surprising amount of fish you buy in supermarkets is not what you think. High value species, like cod, are often replaced by cheaper fish. Mixed in a prepacked meal, with a rich sauce, most consumers never know the difference.
Technology has solved the problem with cost effective DNA testing systems that easily, quickly and cheaply identifies the fish being sold. Technology firms listened to what the market place asked for and what politicians wanted when they adopted new legislation on illegal fishing.
But, fishing processors and the enforcement authorities are not using the technology on the ground. Enforcement of Europe’s environmental and consumer affairs laws, let alone fisheries, is extremely lax. Compared to the US, where the State and public actually enforce the laws they pass, the rules in europe are all too often just words.
Companies who have stepped up to meet the challenge and deliver solutions with technology to answer the questions the public and industry ask for are rebuffed. Industry have realised that the rules are not enforced, so often don’t invest, and government enforcement remains low.
Perhaps, one day the public will learn about the fraud being committed against them.