The project is projected to prevent possible fraud caused by the substitution of species of lower quality by up to 35%.
UREFISH reported that it will harmonize and validate analytical methods to guarantee the authenticity of the fish with the aim of increasing consumer confidence and ending false news. In particular, consumers will be provided with a mobile application that will collect reliable information on the traceability of fish in the Mediterranean, providing detailed information on the different species, their geographical origin, and production protocols. This will be combined with the harmonization of analytical control methodologies.
The National Association of Canned Fish Manufacturers (ANFACO) announced that it will use blockchain technology to achieve improvements in the fishing value chain. ANFACO-CECOPESCA participates in the international SUREFISH project, in which a global Blockchain solution is developed to track the origin of fish.
The Surefish Project
The SUREFISH project aims to implement and demonstrate a global Blockchain solution to ensure fish authentication. The solution proposed by the project is based on the use of ICT technologies, radio frequency identification (RFID), and Blockchain technology. In this way, it is possible to validate it throughout the supply chain of four fish species.
To this end, four pilot cases of use are being developed in Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Spain on different species of fish. The selected species are fresh and marinated anchovies, fresh farmed tilapia fillets, fresh groupers, and bluefin tuna, respectively.
Avoiding Trade Frauds with the Help of Blockchain
SUREFISH stated that it will harmonize and validate analytical methods to guarantee the authenticity of the fish, with the aim of increasing consumer confidence, as well as ending fake news. In particular, consumers will be provided with a mobile application that will collect reliable information on the traceability of fish in the Mediterranean.
“Blockchain technology is used to add value to state-of-the-art traceability systems, since it allows efficient and transparent access to information by the different actors involved, generating innovative possibilities. In addition, ANFACO-CECOPESCA is working on the creation of the International Network of SUREFISH Laboratories, a list of external laboratories that can be part of the Network and participate in the solutions developed as level playing field tools.”
Regarding the expected impact, the project is perfectly aligned with the PRIMA Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, which requires a sustainable Mediterranean agricultural and food value chain that guarantees logistics infrastructure for safety, quality, and traceability standards.
The project seeks to avoid possible fraud caused by the substitution of species for others of lesser quality by up to 35%, as well as improprieties with fishing and aquaculture products from non-Mediterranean fishing areas, up to 25%. All this will contribute to an improvement in the commercialization of their fisheries, fishing control, and consumer confidence.
By Audy Castaneda
