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NEW research has shown that not all certified Chilean sea bass are what they are claimed to be.
Clemson University population biologist Peter Marko and his colleagues have found that some fish sold in stores are not from the fishing grounds certified as sustainable, and some are not Chilean sea bass at all.
Analyzing the mitochondrial DNA from fish purchased at retail outlets in eight states, the researchers found that eight percent of 36 fish sampled were “actually other species,” according to Marko, and that 15 percent of 33 fish sampled had mitochondrial DNA variants that are not known from the South Georgia/Shag Rocks population, which is the only certified Chilean sea bass fishery. The location is in the South Ocean between Antarctica and the southern tip of South America.
The researchers say the findings raise questions about the integrity of the “chain of custody” for retail fish certified to be from sustainable fisheries. Somewhere along the fish supply chain, which starts with the Marine Stewardship Council certifying that a location is a sustainable fishery and ends in a market with fish on ice eco-labeled as sustainably harvested seafood, a significant number of impostors are introduced.
“Our data point to a problem with the supply chain,” said Marko. “Fish are being sold that are improperly labeled. Where and how the uncertified fish reach market was not the focus of our research but are issues that deserve attention.”
Amy Jackson, Deputy Standards Director, MSC responded to the research: "Naturally, we are very concerned about the results in Current Biology,” she says. “The MSC has already launched an investigation and we have approached the authors to share their specific product information. Once we have conducted a full review of the products reported as mislabelled, we will publish the outcome of our investigation and provide information relating to actions the MSC has taken."
The MSC has a long running programme of DNA testing as part of its commitment to ensuring robust and credible chain of custody certification. In late 2008 and early 2009 the MSC collected samples of South Georgian (Patagonian) toothfish, (Dissostichus eleginoides). The samples were analysed by the TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network (in a study led by Dr Rob Ogden). In June 2009, the results showed that all MSC ecolabelled products tested had come from the MSC certified fishery operating out of Area 48.3.
Jackson added: "The MSC Chain of Custody programme requires full traceability checks at every point of the supply chain allowing the MSC to investigate any allegations of mislabelling. Our investigation will identify if any breach has occurred and pinpoint exactly where in the supply chain it happened. If proven, it could result in the suspension or withdrawal of their Chain of Custody certificate. The MSC uses DNA testing to complement its third party certification programme and it is a powerful tool in eradicating mislabelling from seafood supply chains. We hope to work with the authors of the paper along with other experts in this field to achieve this goal."
The research by Marko, Holly Nance and Kimberly Guynn is reported in the Aug. 23 edition of Current Biology (Marko et al.: "Genetic detection of mislabeled fish from a certified sustainable fishery" Vol. 21 No. 16)
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