In Europe, the fishery industry faces significant challenges concerning traceability, transparency, and fraud, as over three million tonnes of fish are caught and sold each year. Despite regulations, issues persist regarding the authenticity of fish products, leading to calls for reform in monitoring practices. Two professionals, Truls Bakkejord Ræder and Karolina Gruhn, are collaborating on a groundbreaking solution aimed at mitigating fishing fraud through innovative digital tracking methods. Their work represents a significant step toward establishing a standardized approach to sustaining the integrity of fish products across Europe.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) Challenges in the European Fishery Industry |
| 2) Filling Gaps in the Supply Chain |
| 3) The Role of Technology in Fish Traceability |
| 4) Collaborative Efforts and Industry Standards |
| 5) The Importance of the Food Detectives Project |
Challenges in the European Fishery Industry
The European fishery industry is fraught with various challenges that undermine consumer trust and sustainability. With over three million tonnes of fish caught annually, the complexity of tracking the origin and handling of these products becomes evident. Many fish traded within the continent are not accurately represented, raising concerns about traceability and legality. According to experts in the field, incidents of illegal fishing have been documented where fish are caught in prohibited areas or at times that violate regulatory standards.
Fraudulent certifications further complicate the issue, as they can mislead consumers regarding the sustainability and safety of the fish they purchase. The discrepancies in naming conventions for fishing gear and techniques across different European countries complicate matters even further. The lack of uniformity means that even legitimate operators may struggle to adhere to varying regulations, increasing the likelihood of inadvertent non-compliance.
The necessity for a robust system that guarantees transparency is evident. Not only do consumers need to know where their food comes from, but regulatory authorities also require better tools to monitor these practices effectively. Enhancing traceability can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and improve the reputation of the fishery sector.
Filling Gaps in the Supply Chain
In light of the ongoing challenges, Truls Bakkejord Ræder and Karolina Gruhn aim to fill the existing gaps in the fish supply chain. Operating from the Espersen fish processing plant in Koszalin, Poland, Karolina leads quality management activities across multiple international facilities, including those in the UK and Vietnam. The duo acknowledges that gaps exist predominantly before fish arrive at their processing facilities, making traceability difficult to establish.
“We are sure what fish it is, we can distinguish it. But we cannot confirm only by looking at it where it’s coming from and with which catching gear it was caught,”
Karolina explains.
Their goal is ambitious yet necessary: to develop a digital, tamper-proof format for a new kind of product passport. This would allow for continuous tracking of fish from the moment it is caught until it reaches consumers at supermarkets. By ensuring seamless traceability, they plan to empower consumers to make informed choices about the fish they purchase.
The Role of Technology in Fish Traceability
The digital product passport aims to leverage technology to enhance traceability in the fishery industry. Currently, without such a system in place, tracking fish products requires significant time and effort. Existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, even when advanced, still lack the necessary features for quick identification of the origins of fish used in various products. The absence of a standardized digital passport complicates matters, prolonging the processing timeline.
Truls emphasizes the importance of an easily accessible information network, stating: “If the information exists, it’s hard to get at. So it’s kind of, it is a bit of detective work for each unit that we need to study.” A robust digital solution could revolutionize this aspect, allowing all actors in the supply chain to access and share necessary information efficiently and effectively. The implementation of such a system could ultimately serve as a deterrent to fraudulent activities, ensuring that only sustainably caught fish make it to consumers’ plates.
Collaborative Efforts and Industry Standards
Collaboration is essential for the successful implementation of industry-wide standards in the fishery sector. Truls and Karolina envision a future where all participants in the fisheries industry, including fishermen, processors, and retailers, collectively adhere to standardized practices for information sharing. Such efforts could drive compliance with regulations and enhance consumer confidence in the product.
The initiative seeks not only to fill the existing gaps but also to become a model that others in the industry can emulate. By fostering collaboration and encouraging best practices, stakeholders can work together to create a more transparent system for tracking fish from ocean to consumer.
As the industry trends toward increasing transparency, the hope is that the tracking solution developed by Truls and Karolina will eventually be adopted as an industry standard. This move could transform the sector, promoting sustainable practices and responsible fishing, ensuring that when customers enjoy their meals, they do so with the peace of mind that the fish on their plates has been sourced ethically and responsibly.
The Importance of the Food Detectives Project
The work undertaken by Truls Bakkejord Ræder and Karolina Gruhn is part of a broader initiative known as The Food Detectives, which addresses food fraud through effective detection mechanisms. This project is funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program and aims to provide food safety authorities with advanced tools for identifying and preventing such fraudulent activities in the food supply chain.
As a partner in the consortium formed under the Watson project, Euronews joins a coalition of 46 EU and non-EU stakeholders from various sectors. The comprehensive approach encompasses research, technology, and policy recommendations to mitigate risks associated with food fraud comprehensively.
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of these efforts, culminating in a live event planned for November 27th, which will disseminate further knowledge on these initiatives. By bringing together industry players, authorities, and consumers, The Food Detectives project aspires to educate and empower stakeholders, ultimately enhancing trust in the food supply.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | The European fishery industry faces challenges of traceability and fraud, impacting consumer trust. |
| 2 | Collaborators are working to develop a digital product passport to enhance transparency in the fish supply chain. |
| 3 | Current traceability methods are inefficient and require a standardized digital solution. |
| 4 | Collaboration among all stakeholders is essential for effective implementation of industry standards. |
| 5 | The Food Detectives project aims to provide better tools for detecting and preventing food fraud across Europe. |
Summary
The ongoing work of Truls Bakkejord Ræder and Karolina Gruhn highlights the pressing need for advancements in fishery transparency and traceability within Europe. With plans to implement innovative digital tracking solutions, they aim to combat fishing fraud and enhance consumer trust. The collaborative initiatives under The Food Detectives project further aim to establish industry-wide standards that ensure accountability, ultimately promoting sustainable fishing practices across the continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the main goal of the digital product passport?
The main goal of the digital product passport is to create a tamper-proof tracking system that follows fish from ocean to plate, enhancing transparency and traceability in the fishery industry.
Question: Who are the main collaborators working on this initiative?
The main collaborators include Truls Bakkejord Ræder and Karolina Gruhn, who are focused on improving traceability in fish supply chains.
Question: What is The Food Detectives project?
The Food Detectives project is an initiative funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program, aimed at giving food safety authorities enhanced tools to detect and prevent food fraud.
