Traceability in the seafood industry is now one of the most important issues facing commercial fishers, aquaculture producers, processors and exporters. With growing global demand for safe and sustainable seafood, consumers, regulators and trade partners are demanding proof that seafood is harvested legally, processed correctly and moved through the supply chain in a way that can be tracked and verified.

For businesses in the Australian seafood sector, understanding traceability is essential for meeting legal obligations, managing risks, and securing long term market access.

Why Traceability is Important Today

Traceability means being able to follow the journey of seafood from where it was caught or farmed through to when it reaches the consumer. It covers every stage of the supply chain including harvest, processing, packaging, transport, wholesaling and retailing. Traceability has become vital today for several reasons:

• Increasing consumer awareness about where seafood comes from and how it is produced
• Rising concern about illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices
• Growing global focus on food safety, quality control and contamination prevention
• Market access requirements from international trade partners who demand verified records
• The importance of protecting the reputation of Australian seafood in competitive export markets
• Ensuring compliance with Australian biosecurity and fisheries management frameworks
• Building trust with buyers, investors and regulators
• Reducing financial and reputational risks linked to fraud or mislabelling.

Traceability for Commercial Seafood Producers and Catchers

Commercial operators can take practical steps to ensure effective traceability in their businesses. These steps do not have to be overly complex but they must be consistent and verifiable.

• Record accurate information at the point of harvest including vessel name, catch date, location and species
• For aquaculture operators, document feed sources, treatments, and environmental data to demonstrate production integrity
• Use digital logbooks or electronic monitoring systems to reduce reliance on paper records
• Implement batch coding or unique identifiers for harvested product
• Adopt standardised documentation such as harvest declarations, processing records and invoices that link back to the original source
• Maintain clear chain of custody records through the supply chain so that each transfer of ownership or custody can be checked
• Train staff to understand the importance of recording and handling information accurately
• Use third party certifications or industry programs to strengthen credibility, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
• Work with logistics providers who can integrate tracking systems, barcodes or QR codes to link physical product to digital records
• Ensure recall procedures are in place so that if there is a problem, affected batches can be quickly located and withdrawn
• Engage regularly with regulators and industry associations to stay up to date with new requirements

What Australian law Requires Currently

Australia has a combination of laws and regulations that require traceability across the seafood industry. These operate at both Commonwealth and state or territory levels. The main requirements include:

• Under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and related state laws, fishers must report catch data, vessel activity and quota use
• Logbooks are legally required for many commercial fisheries, capturing details of catch species, weight, location and method
• The Export Control Act 2020 (Cth) and associated Export Control Rules require strict traceability for seafood products intended for export
• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) oversees export licensing, requiring accredited establishments to maintain records demonstrating product integrity and origin
• The Imported Food Control Act 1992 (Cth) requires imported seafood to meet Australian food safety standards, and equivalent rules apply for exported product to meet foreign country requirements
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) requires seafood businesses to comply with the Food Standards Code which includes traceability for food safety
• State and territory biosecurity laws require documentation of seafood movement to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases
• Labelling laws under the Australian Consumer Law prohibit false or misleading statements about seafood origin or species
• Country of origin labelling is compulsory for retail seafood sales, requiring businesses to show whether product is Australian or imported
• Some fisheries and aquaculture sectors are required to use electronic monitoring and reporting to verify compliance with quotas and sustainability rules.

The Risk When Traceability is not Robust

When seafood businesses do not have strong traceability systems, they expose themselves to serious risks. These risks can affect not only the individual business but also the wider industry reputation.

• Legal risks from non-compliance with fisheries, export or food safety laws
• Loss of export licences or accreditation which can stop market access overnight
• Fines, penalties or even criminal liability for serious breaches such as false reporting or mislabelling
• Increased vulnerability to product recalls which can be costly and damaging
• Reputational damage if customers or media expose poor traceability or link the business to unsustainable or illegal practices
• Loss of trust from buyers and retailers who increasingly demand documented assurance
• Financial risks from rejected shipments, contract disputes or reduced sales
• Biosecurity risks where diseases or contaminants spread through the supply chain unchecked
• Strategic risks from falling behind competitors who invest in digital traceability and certification.

Available Legal Protections

Seafood businesses can take steps to protect themselves legally and commercially by putting the right safeguards in place. Legal protections include both compliance measures and proactive strategies.

• Ensuring that contracts with buyers and suppliers include warranties about product origin and quality
• Using indemnities and limitation of liability clauses in agreements to manage exposure if problems occur further up or down the supply chain
• Registering intellectual property such as brand names and certification marks to protect against misuse or counterfeiting
• Seeking legal advice on labelling and advertising claims to ensure they are not misleading under Australian Consumer Law
• Participating in certified quality assurance schemes which can provide an additional legal defence in the event of disputes
• Maintaining robust internal compliance systems to demonstrate due diligence if regulators investigate
• Keeping clear and consistent records which can serve as evidence in case of legal challenges
• Using traceability software that provides tamper resistant records, reducing the risk of fraud allegations
• Insuring against certain risks including product recall or contamination where cover is available
• Engaging specialist legal advisors who understand fisheries, aquaculture and food law to guide business decisions

Future direction of Traceability in the Industry

Traceability in the seafood industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, consumer demand and international trade requirements. Looking ahead, businesses should expect to see further developments in the following areas:

• Expansion of digital traceability platforms that integrate vessel monitoring systems, processing data and retail labelling
• Greater use of blockchain technology to create secure and transparent chains of custody
• DNA testing to verify species identity and prevent fraud or substitution
• Satellite tracking and electronic monitoring becoming mandatory in more fisheries
• Increased demand from international markets, especially in Europe, North America and Asia, for proof of sustainability and legality
• Stronger government regulation in response to global efforts to combat IUU fishing
• Closer alignment between Australian traceability standards and international trade partner requirements
• Broader use of consumer facing tools such as QR codes that allow customers to scan and see where their seafood came from
• Pressure from investors and financial institutions who now view traceability and sustainability as material business risks
• Integration of traceability with broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting frameworks
• Automation and artificial intelligence improving efficiency and reducing manual data entry
• A likely shift from paper-based logbooks to full electronic systems across all fisheries and aquaculture operations.

Conclusion

Traceability is no longer optional in the seafood industry. For Australian commercial fishers, aquaculture operators, processors and exporters, it is a core requirement for legal compliance, market access, consumer trust and risk management. By investing in strong traceability systems today, seafood businesses can protect their reputation, secure future growth, and contribute to the integrity of Australia’s valuable seafood sector. The future of the industry will increasingly reward those who can prove, with clear records and transparent systems, that their seafood is safe, sustainable and legally sourced.