Fishery association holiday gift boxes have unclear origin labeling, mixing local and imported fish; fishermen and environmental groups: should return to Taiwan, China seafood
As the Lunar New Year approaches, many people are waiting to buy fresh seafood to add a festive touch of reunion to the dinner table. To meet consumer demand, regional fishermen's associations have also pushed online sales channels hard in recent years, launching Lunar New Year gift boxes for the public to choose from. However, in many fishermen's association sales channels, the ratio of imported aquatic products to local aquatic products is nearly equal, and the place of origin is not labeled. From the standpoint of "protecting fishermen's rights and promoting local specialty products," both fishermen and environmental groups suggest that fishermen's association channels should make adjustments and move toward the role of guardian of local products.
Fishermen's association Lunar New Year gift boxes: some aquatic products come from imports
Opening the list of Lunar New Year aquatic product gift boxes on online channels, the contents are dazzling and filled with all kinds of fishery products, from grass shrimp, white shrimp, mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and swordtip squid, to yellow croaker, halibut, salmon, abalone, angel red shrimp, scallops, lobster, and king crab. Aside from a few items labeled with their place of origin, coming from countries such as Malaysia or Indonesia, most show only the presentable gift box price, with no way to tell where the seafood comes from.
For example, the Taitung Xincheng Fishermen's Association launched the "Kuroshio Seafood Gift Box" advertised as "selected seafood ingredients from Taiwan's east coast", but the contents include imported red snapper and salmon. The Keelung Fishermen's Association launched "Keelung Local Port Lunar New Year Premium Selection", yet it contains imported salmon, angel red shrimp, scallops, and yellow croaker. The National Fishermen's Association launched a "Luxury Seafood Gift Box", in which salmon, grass shrimp, halibut, yellow croaker, and others are all imported fish products, but the place of origin is not labeled. Other imported fish products with labeled origins include Chilean abalone, Hokkaido king crab, and Norwegian mackerel, among others.
Without origin labeling, consumers can only judge by price
A shrimp farmer surnamed Li also said that among the aquatic products of some regional fishermen's associations, many items are not labeled with their place of origin, so consumers can only judge quality by price, making price the only consideration; but isn't it a pity not to be able to eat local high-quality products? If they choose to enjoy local products, consumers who are willing can also make a trip in person to confirm the production environment and product quality. Consumption behavior based on trust can better ensure that everyone eats healthily and with peace of mind.
Environmental groups: fishermen's associations should take on the role of local channels
As for environmental groups, they interpret this from a different standpoint. Lin Ailong, chairman of the Sea Dragon King Loves the Earth Association, pointed out that fishermen's associations are supported under the national system, so they should provide assistance in the handling, processing, and sale of domestic aquatic products. Aquatic products such as Hokkaido king crab, Chilean abalone, or Norwegian mackerel are available in many large channels; when consumers need domestic products, fishermen's associations should step forward and take on the role of local channels in order to fulfill their mission well.
Fisheries Agency: guide fishermen's associations to sell domestic products, label place of origin
Regarding public suggestions, Wang Zhengfang, deputy director-general of the Fisheries Agency, emphasized that the role of fishermen's associations should originally focus on the promotion and sale of local aquatic products, with the aim of letting more people know about Taiwan's high-quality aquatic products and the strength of the fisheries industry. If there are too many imported aquatic products, their reason for existence is lost. Therefore, the Fisheries Agency will do its best to guide fishermen's associations in each region in this direction; for Lunar New Year gift boxes, it will also remind fishermen's associations in each region to label the "place of origin," so that domestic aquatic products can become better known.