Fisheries and aquaculture products are among the most internationally traded food commodities. As they provide energy, high-quality proteins and key nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, the per capita consumption of seafood products has doubled since 1961 and is expected to double again by 2050. Fraud in these sectors is a major global challenge that negatively impacts food security, the economy, value chains, environment, society and attainment of the SDGs. Additionally, it can have serious food safety implications. Fit-for-purpose analytical methods are required to underpin seafood control programmes. Research will be undertaken to apply nuclear and complementary techniques that have proven suitable for confirming labelling information and claims such as species, geographical origin/catching/fishing area, fresh, wild caught, production/processing method, or religious/ethical compliance and natural/synthetic products. The project thereby aims to safeguard consumers and honest producers, ensure regulatory and ethical compliance, stimulate domestic markets and reduce barriers to international trade.
To support food safety and quality laboratories in Member States to enhance their food control systems to more effectively detect and deter fraud in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, thereby protecting and promoting the interests of producers and consumers and facilitating trade in the seafood and aquaculture sectors, by the development and application of nuclear and complementary techniques.
Specific Objective
To enable Member States, especially developing countries, to more effectively detect and deter fraud in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, applying nuclear and complementary techniques for developing analytical methods, regarding the following authenticity areas: i) species ii) geographical origin fishing/harvesting area iii) wild/farmed iv) fresh/frozen/ thawed v) production method vi) processing practices vii) religious/ethical compliance viii) natural/synthetic, specifically:
1) Support Member States to conduct research and adopt appropriate sampling protocols and sample preparation techniques.
2) Support Member States to conduct research on the development, adaption/ optimization and validation of analytical methods based on nuclear and complementary techniques for testing, monitoring and control of seafood authenticity and origin; development of reference materials; conducting inter-laboratory comparisons.
3) Generate and disseminate knowledge to support surveillance and testing, including development and management of databases by the participating institutes.