SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION : THE IMPACTS OF LABELLING

In November 2008, the NT Government put in place licence 
	condition under the Fisheries Act, that require fish retailers serving 
	imported seafood for public consumption to clearly identify to the consumer 
	if the product is imported. This was the first time that such a law had been 
	put in place in Australia. It is therefore timely to assess the impacts the 
	laws have had on those involved in the serving of, and the consuming of 
	seafood in the NT.

In January 2010, NTSC was successful in securing funds from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) to undertake research on the impacts of the seafood labelling laws with participants from three categories of the food service sector within the Darwin region (i.e. restaurants/cafes, pubs/clubs and takeaway food outlets).
The project is seeking to:

Quantify the quantity and origin of seafood sold in a range of food outlet establishments in the Darwin region;
Monitor the impact of fish retailer labelling requirements along the supply chain within the Darwin region; and
Identify any impacts of the labelling requirements on consumer choice.

The assess the impacts of the laws on businesses, the NTSC will be working with seven businesses per food service category for the duration of the research (12 months). The selection was based on ensuring a diversity of business size, menu variety and clientele. Consumer surveys will also be undertaken.

The research will be conducted via face to face surveys, on a quarterly basis with the participating businesses from the food service sector and consumers. Individual information provided will be treated confidentially with only aggregations of answers and/or summaries of comments put into the public domain.

This information will be utilised to identify the impacts which the labelling laws have had on businesses, trends and commercial opportunities for food outlets and on consumers’ choice. The outcomes will also provide advice to NT Department of Resources on the impact, operation and implementation of the existing labelling requirements. The outcomes will also inform the next Support NT Caught campaign.

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Suzanne Morgan on 0429 808 022 or email admin@ntsc.com.au.

FRDC Project 2009/216: Tactical Research Fund: Tracking the impacts on seafood consumption at dining venues arising from the Northern Territory’s seafood labelling laws is supported by funding from the FRDC on behalf of the Australian Government

Project Investigators:
Chris Calogeras, C-AID Consultants
Katherine Sarneckis, Northern Territory Seafood Council
Leonie Cooper, NT Fisheries
TY Lee, Australian Culinary Association (NT)

Seafood Industry Alliance submission on Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy

May 2010 (Download PDF | 704 KB )
November 2010 (Download PDF | 775 KB)

Northern Territory Seafood Council submission on Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy

November 2010 (Download PDF | 775 KB)

Fish Labelling Fact Sheet : Download PDF