Tackling seafood fraud: Hawaii Senator introduces new bill

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new effort led by Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz looks to crack down on foreign and intentionally mislabeled ahi.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act.

The bipartisan bill would direct NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to “develop a standard way to identify the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States.”

“Seafood that’s caught illegally or intentionally mislabeled rips off consumers and makes it harder for law-abiding U.S. fishermen to compete,” said Senator Schatz.

He added the bill would fight against those who try to pass off cheap, foreign tuna for high-quality ahi sold by local Hawaii fishermen.

US fisheries, including the Hawai‘i Longline fishery, are among the most regulated in the world and we appreciate Congress taking steps to protect domestic fishermen and our markets. Hawai‘i-landed tuna is known for its sustainability and quality and the ability to detect tuna origin to deter seafood fraud is important and we are very appreciative of this effort.

Mike Goto, Director of the United Fishing Agency

Currently, there is no technology available to determine the geographic origin of tuna and red snapper.

If the bill is passed, officials hope to develop a field test kit that can be used to accurately determine if the fish was caught in U.S. or foreign waters.

Federal and state law enforcement officers would then be able to “intercept illegally caught or falsely labeled red snapper and tuna before it enters the U.S. market.”

The measure will now head to the full Senate.