Hampering illegal fishing activities and seafood fraud by means of DNA profiling
A major challenge in the sea food sector is to reliably discriminate between the several hundred commercially traded fish species. Fish species can be notoriously difficult to tell apart, in particular when we have to deal with processed fish such as canned fish, or fish fillets. DNA-based detection tests exhibit a so far underutilized potential to clarify both species identity and origin of questionable fish or fishery products. Such methodologies may help to reveal incorrectly declared fish goods and hinder blurring the traces of fish derived from illegal and unregulated fishing. While transparency and security for retailers and consumers is enhanced, this ultimately increases the level of sustainability in the exploitation of fisheries resources.