Persistent Seafood Fraud Found in South Florida - Oceana

Report | July, 2012

Persistent Seafood Fraud Found in South Florida

 

In Florida, the state’s residents and its visitors enjoy eating and catching seafood. In fact, Floridians eat 
twice as much seafood as the average American. At the same time, Florida has a long history of 
uncovering and addressing seafood fraud, specifically the substitution of one species of fish for another 
less desirable or less expensive species.  
Oceana recently investigated seafood mislabeling in South Florida as part of a campaign to Stop Seafood 
Fraud. The results were disturbing. Nearly a third of the seafood tested was mislabeled in some way, 
leaving consumers with little ability to know what they are eating or feeding their families, and even less 
ability to make informed choices that promote sustainable fishing practices, or even protect their health.   

In Florida, the state’s residents and its visitors enjoy eating and catching seafood. In fact, Floridians eat twice as much seafood as the average American. At the same time, Florida has a long history of uncovering and addressing seafood fraud, specifically the substitution of one species of fish for another less desirable or less expensive species.  

Oceana recently investigated seafood mislabeling in South Florida as part of a campaign to Stop Seafood Fraud. The results were disturbing. Nearly a third of the seafood tested was mislabeled in some way, leaving consumers with little ability to know what they are eating or feeding their families, and even less ability to make informed choices that promote sustainable fishing practices, or even protect their health.