The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Where is your seafood really from? We’re using 'chemical fingerprinting' to fight seafood fraud and illegal fishing

  • Written by Zoe Doubleday, Marine Ecologist and ARC Future Fellow, University of South Australia
Where is your seafood really from? We’re using 'chemical fingerprinting' to fight seafood fraud and illegal fishing

Fake foods are invading our supermarkets, as foods we love are substituted or adulterated with lower value or unethical goods[1].

Food fraud threatens human health but is also bad news for industry and sustainable food production[2]. Seafood is one of most traded food products[3] in the world and reliant on convoluted supply chains that leave the the door wide open for seafood fraud[4].

Our new study[5], published in the journal Fish and Fisheries[6], showcases a new approach for determining the provenance or “origin” of many seafood species.

By identifying provenance, we can detect fraud and empower authorities and businesses to stop it. This makes it more likely that the food you buy is, in fact, the food you truly want to eat.

A woman walks through a seafood market.
Seafood is one of the most traded food product in the world. Photo by Saya Kimura/Pexels, CC BY[7][8]

Read more: How technology will help fight food fraud[9]

Illegal fishing and seafood fraud

Wild-caught seafood is vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing can have a devastating impact on the marine environment because:

  • it is a major cause of overfishing, constituting an estimated one-fifth of seafood[10]

  • it can destroy marine habitats, such coral reefs, through destructive fishing methods such as blast bombing and cyanide fishing

  • it can significantly harm wildlife, such as albatross and turtles, which are caught as by-catch[11].

So how is illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing connected to seafood fraud?

Seafood fraud allows this kind of fishing to flourish as illegal products are laundered through legitimate supply chains[12].

A recent study[13] in the United States found when seafood is mislabelled, it is more likely to be substituted for a product from less healthy fisheries with management policies that are less likely to reduce the environmental impacts of fishing.

One review[14] of mislabelled seafood in the US found that out of 180 substituted species, 25 were considered threatened, endangered, or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Illegal fishing and seafood fraud also has a human cost. It can:

  • adversely affect the livelihoods of law-abiding fishers and seafood businesses[15]

  • threaten food security

  • facilitate human rights abuses such as forced labour and piracy[16]

  • increase risk of exposure to pathogens, drugs, and other banned substances in seafood[17].

The chemical fingerprints in shells and bones

A vast range of marine animals are harvested for food every year, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms[18].

However, traditional food provenance methods are typically designed to identify one species at a time.

That might benefit the species and industry in question, but it is expensive and time consuming. As such, current methods are restricted to a relatively small number of species.

In our study, we described a broader, universal method to identify provenance and detect fraud.

How? We harnessed natural chemical markers imprinted in the shells and bones of marine animals. These markers reflect an animal’s environment and can identify where they are from.

We focused on a chemical marker that is similar across many different marine animals. This specific chemical marker, known as “oxygen isotopes”, is determined by ocean composition and temperature rather than an animal’s biology.

Exploiting this commonality and how it relates to the local environment, we constructed a global ocean map of oxygen isotopes that helps researchers understand where a marine animal may be from (by matching the oxygen isotope value in shells and bones to the oxygen isotope value in the map).

After rigorous testing, we demonstrated this global map (or “isoscape”) can be used to correctly identify the origins of a wide range of marine animals living in different latitudes.

For example, we saw up to 90% success in classifying fish, cephalopods, and shellfish between the tropical waters of Southeast Asia and the cooler waters of southern Australia.

Mussels lie on an ice bed at a shop. Demand for seafood remains strong around the world. Photo by Julia Volk/Pexels, CC BY[19][20]

What next?

Oxygen isotopes, as a universal marker, worked well on a range of animals collected from different latitudes and across broad geographic areas.

Our next step is to integrate oxygen isotopes with other universal chemical markers to gives clues on longitude and refine our approach.

Working out the provenance of seafood is a large and complex challenge. No single approach is a silver bullet for all species, fisheries or industries.

But our approach represents a step towards a more inclusive, global system for validating seafood provenance and fighting seafood fraud.

Hopefully, this will mean ensure fewer marine species are left behind and more consumer confidence in the products we buy.

Dr Jasmin Martino, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, contributed to this research and article.

References

  1. ^ goods (www.emerald.com)
  2. ^ production (www.fao.org)
  3. ^ most traded food products (www.sciencedirect.com)
  4. ^ fraud (link.springer.com)
  5. ^ study (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  6. ^ Fish and Fisheries (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  7. ^ Photo by Saya Kimura/Pexels (www.pexels.com)
  8. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  9. ^ How technology will help fight food fraud (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ seafood (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  11. ^ by-catch (www.sciencedirect.com)
  12. ^ chains (www.fao.org)
  13. ^ study (www.pnas.org)
  14. ^ review (usa.oceana.org)
  15. ^ businesses (www.sciencedirect.com)
  16. ^ piracy (link.springer.com)
  17. ^ seafood (usa.oceana.org)
  18. ^ echinoderms (www.fao.org)
  19. ^ Photo by Julia Volk/Pexels (www.pexels.com)
  20. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/where-is-your-seafood-really-from-were-using-chemical-fingerprinting-to-fight-seafood-fraud-and-illegal-fishing-189471

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping