Data integrity and supply chain traceability in global fisheries.

Reliable data collection and monitoring efforts are foundational to sustainable fisheries management and protecting the livelihoods of responsible fishers.

Many fish species are hard to distinguish, a challenge that becomes even more difficult once fish are processed into fillets or other seafood products. Our research investigates where and how species misidentification occurs across global supply chains. By identifying these critical points, we evaluate how molecular tools can be integrated to support reliable data collection, from harvest on the water to purchase in stores. This work is essential to ensure that stock assessments are based on robust data, prevent threatened and endangered species from entering consumer markets, and promote seafood sourced from well-managed sources.