65% of seafood consumed in Australia is imported from overseas, however, there is currently no policy framework for keeping illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) seafood imports from entering the Australian market.
Australia does not require imported seafood to be legally harvested and produced, there are no comprehensive traceability requirements and there are significant gaps in labelling laws. These failings are undermining global efforts to combat IUU fishing, by providing a market for unethical and unsustainable seafood products. Improving Australia’s seafood import controls is critical for protecting global fisheries and ensuring the health and sustainable management of the ocean into the future.
The Minderoo Foundation recently published “Mending the Net”, a review of the current legislation on Australia’s seafood imports. This work has developed into a campaign for improved regulation on the countries imported seafood, developing policy solutions and managing research projects supporting the need for regulatory change.
Other major seafood importers like the USA, the European Union and Japan have strengthened their import controls. Given Australia’s regional market influence, improving our standards for seafood imports offers an opportunity to show leadership, create change across our seafood supplier network and demand accountability across the supply chain to eliminate illegal fishing.