March 8, 2013 — The chances of accurate labeling are more likely in New England, with genuine off-the-boat markets and restaurants, but stepping into any supermarket immediately makes the process of buying fish a very generic, global experience.
The ability of a consumer — even a SouthCoast consumer — to be sure that the fish they pay for is the fish they get is no sure thing.
The chances of accurate labeling are far more likely in these parts, with genuine off-the-boat markets and restaurants, but stepping into any supermarket immediately makes the process of buying fish a very generic, global experience.
A much-discussed study by Oceana, the largest international ocean conservation and advocacy organization, has found that about one-third of more than 1,200 samples of fish from retail outlets was mislabeled. That has prompted some to say the problem threatens the oceans, while critics complain Oceana is overstating the problem to advance a strategy of curtailing fishing.
We don't know about that, but we do know that mislabeled fish is a problem that needs to be corrected because of its impact on consumers and local fishermen.
In the consumer's eye, that tray of wild-caught, frozen-at-sea Norwegian cod is nowhere near as appealing when Oceana reports that Atlantic cod might be Pacific cod, or hake or something else. A habit of walking past the fish counter soon turns into a habit of avoiding fish off the menu once confidence is undermined. That erodes the whole market, which is not the direction the local fisherman wants to see the market take.
One solution would be to buy more locally caught fish.
Read the full editorial at the New Bedford Standard Times