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https://theconversation.com/dolphin-friendly-new-research-shows-vague-environmental-labelling-is-common-on-nz-seafood-products-237954>
"Many seafood products sold in New Zealand make environmental claims, but our
new research shows most of them are too ambiguous and may serve as
greenwashing.
We looked into the labelling and environmental claims on packaged fish and
seafood products in major New Zealand supermarkets, investigating 369 products
such as canned tuna or other fish, vacuum-packed salmon and frozen fish or
seafood.
Just under half of the products (41.2%) we investigated contained at least one
self-declared environmental claim, such as “sustainably fished”, “responsibly
caught” or “dolphin friendly”.
Nearly 80% of these claims were vague and therefore contrary to international
best practice and New Zealand Commerce Commission guidance. This states
environmental claims need to be specific to avoid misleading consumers, and it
lists the “dolphin friendly” claim as an example that should not be used.
However, we found 42 products available in New Zealand supermarkets carried a
“dolphin friendly” or “dolphin safe” claim. Such hard-to-substantiate claims
can potentially mislead consumers into thinking they are choosing to buy
products that are less damaging to the environment than they might actually be.
Our results show we need stronger enforcement of existing regulations and
clearer rules around labelling of fish and seafood products to encourage
transparency around fishing practices."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
