Restaurant seafood labelling coming to WA

Restaurants selling seafood in Western Australia will soon have to display country of origin labelling.

With 70 per cent of seafood served in WA’s restaurants, cafes, take-away outlets and fish and chip shops being imported, mostly from Asia, the proposal aims to let diners know exactly what they’re eating and where it comes from.

The labelling would be displayed on restaurant menus, blackboards or signage.

At the moment, eateries unlike supermarkets don’t need to tell customers where their seafood comes from.

Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has confirmed he is now meeting stakeholders to devise a practical system for country- of-origin seafood labelling.

“We support country-of-origin labelling requirements for seafood sold in restaurants,” Mr Kelly told Perth Now.

“The WA fishing industry generates thousands of jobs across the State and we believe the introduction of country-of-origin labelling will not only give consumers more choice, but will also grow local jobs.”

“I am working with relevant agencies and industries to consider a system that could be implemented in WA for seafood country-of-origin labelling in the food service sector, including restaurants.”

The State’s peak commercial fishing lobby group, the WA Fishing Industry Council, says it’s a change that’s much needed.

WAFIC chief executive John Harrison says too many restaurants are selling imported seafood that customers mistakenly believe comes from Australia. He says most of what we eat is imported.

“The country-of-origin labelling issue revolves around the fact that most consumers assume that their seafood purchases are of Australian origin,” Mr Harrison told Petth Now.

“Australia imports $2.1 billion of seafood a year, making up 70 per cent of the domestic seafood market.

“The commercial fishing industry in Western Australia, and across Australia, believes that consumers need to have confidence that they are ordering Australian seafood at the food service level.”

The proposed change comes at a time when the Federal Government is looking at making country-of-origin labelling mandatory for cooked and pre-prepared seafood for immediate consumption.