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Mislabeling an issue for species not covered under SIMP, US study by Oceana finds

March 7, 2019 - from Oceana and SeafoodSource:

"Oceana launched a new investigation to study whether seafood fraud persists in the U.S. seafood market. Between March and August 2018, Oceana collected more than 400 samples of seafood not covered in the Seafood Import Monitoring Program from 24 different states and the District of Columbia. One in every 5 of the fish tested were mislabeled. Seafood fraud continues to cheat consumers, weaken ocean conservation efforts, and undermine honest fishermen and seafood businesses."

• "One in every 5 of the 449 fish tested were mislabeled.
• One-third of the establishments visited sold mislabeled seafood.
• Seafood was more frequently mislabeled at restaurants and smaller markets than at larger chain grocery stores.
• Sea bass and snapper had the highest rates of mislabeling (55 and 42 percent, respectively).
• Imported seafood was sold as regional favorites, fooling consumers into thinking their seafood is locally sourced.
• Vulnerable species, such as Atlantic halibut, were sold as more sustainable catch.