The impact of state-led traceability on fisheries sustainability

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article addresses two pivotal questions in the realm of fisheries sustainability: (1) the role of state-led traceability systems and (2) their effectiveness in bolstering sustainability efforts. Our investigation centres on the European Union’s Catch Certificate (EU’s CC), a traceability system to ensure that all seafood imported into the EU is sustainably harvested. We explore these two key questions though the Vietnamese fisheries reform, whereby the country adjusted its fisheries governance to accommodate the EU’s CC as a traceability measure. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we uncover a mismatch between the top-down enforcement of traceability measures and the realities of fishing practices, leading to a range of rule-breaking behaviours. Furthermore, the study identifies significant issues of exclusion, as the infrastructural demands of compliance disproportionately affect smaller operators and marginalized communities within the fisheries sector. The Vietnamese case provides nuanced challenges and opportunities presented by state-led traceability in achieving true sustainability in fisheries. It underscores the necessity of integrating environmental and social considerations into traceability systems, questioning whom these efforts ultimately serve and at what cost. We conclude by advocating for state-led initiatives to go beyond mere compliance and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and transparent fisheries sector.