The research, undertaken by environmental consultancy Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) in association with the University of Stirling, called for more consistency from producers who certify eco-labels.
The study looked at eco-labelling certified by organisations including the Marine Stewardship Council and Friends of the Sea. It also examined schemes that advise consumers which species of fish to eat and avoid from organisations such as Greenpeace and the Marine Conservation Society.
Dr Jon Harman, Seafish Development Director, said: “We welcome the findings of this timely and important report from MRAG and the University of Stirling. Certification schemes and recommendation lists have had substantial success in increasing awareness of the issues associated with sustainable fishing and aquaculture and we encourage further development.
“Among other issues, this report highlights the need for recommendation lists to enhance their consistency and credibility by seeking greater standardisation and harmonisation between schemes. We are pleased organisations like the Marine Conservation Society are now working with industry to submit their lists for peer review.
“In that regard, MRAG’s comparison of these eco-labels against the criteria established by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation is highly relevant, and we call on all fishery certification schemes to ensure that they are fully compliant with the UN’s criteria for seafood recommendation lists and eco labels.
“It is only by establishing and maintaining standards in certification schemes that we can encourage consumers to purchase sustainable seafood with confidence.
“Failure to do so will lead to consumers losing confidence in these schemes, with potentially disastrous results both for the schemes themselves, and for the future health of our marine ecosystem.”
