Marking an Australian fishing industry first, OceanWatch Australia has introduced unique QR codes for fresh seafood, providing wholesale buyers with a complete picture of where, how, and by who the catch was caught.
The codes are part of the OceanWatch Master Fisherman Program and were launched on World Fisheries Day, Friday 21 November. By scanning the code, buyers are able to access information relating to the fisher behind the catch, how the seafood was caught, which part of Australia the seafood comes from, and information about the characteristics of the species, migration patterns and population statistics.
“These QR codes offer real transparency around the provenance of seafood. It’s important the community knows where their seafood comes from, and is confident the fisher is dedicated to responsible fishing and best-practice techniques to protect our marine environments,” said Brad Warren, executive chair OceanWatch Australia.
“The QR codes provide wholesale buyers with the tools to make informed purchasing decisions and ensure consumers, in turn, are eating a responsibly caught catch.”
In order to gain OceanWatch accreditation and be allocated a QR code, fisher must complete the Master Fisherman Program which is jointly funded with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
The program involves setting protocols and standards for everyday fishing practices; from assessing the equipment fishers use, to the steps they take in reducing bycatch. Fishers must also complete food safety training and hold a maritime competency qualification.
“OceanWatch has ensured its Master Fisherman Program aligns with the United Nation’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. To date, the accreditation and QR codes have already been allocated to over sixty NSW Estuary General fishers,” says Warren.
“The QR codes will be launched to the wholesale market on November 21, with a roll out to retailers to follow. In the meantime, the information from the QR code will be available to consumers on the OceanWatch Australia website and any store displaying the QR code.”