Congress Acts to Stop Seafood Fraud After Oceana Report

Congress Acts to Stop Seafood Fraud, Following Oceana’s Nationwide Investigation

March, 2013

Rep. Markey (MA) introduces SAFE Seafood act following Oceana report

Oceana, the largest international advocacy group working solely to protect the world’s oceans, applauds United States Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) today for introducing the Safety and Fraud Enforcement for Seafood (SAFE Seafood) Actto address the growing problem of seafood fraud, which can come in many different forms – from mislabeling fish and falsifying documents, to adding too much ice to packaging. If passed, this bill would help stop seafood fraud by requiring full traceability of all seafood sold in the U.S., from boat to plate.

This legislation follows the release of a new Oceana study, which found that one-third, or 33 percent, of the 1,215 fish samples it collected from 674 retail outlets in 21 states were mislabeled, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Rep. Markey was joined in the legislation by original co-sponsors Walter Jones (R-NC), John Tierney (D-MA), Bill Keating (D-MA), Lois Capps (D-CA) and Jo Bonner (R-AL).

February, 2013

Survey Finds That Fish Are Often Not What Label Says

Oceana CEO: A Shocking Report on Your Seafood

February, 2013

One-third of seafood mislabeled, study finds

February, 2013

Buyer beware: Mislabeled fish in restaurants, grocery stores