Seafood Sector Research Articles

Identification of Virulence Factor and Phylogenetic Study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Fish Product in Iraq using Molecular Techniques

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen bacterium that may cause infection and is commonly found in fish, plants, animals, soil, and water. The abundance of fish and seafood contributes to the seafood sector's economic importance. Several nations rely on the abundance of fish and seafood to support their economies. The objective of this study is to isolate P. aeruginosa and investigate its phylogenic similarity and sequencing to that of referred isolates taken from fresh fish (Cyprinus carpio) and marine (Hammour). One hundred and twenty raw fish samples were gathered from the local marketplaces in Al-Diwaniya City. The isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa were grown on selective agar, such as chrome-genic pseudomonas agar and cetrimide agar, then identified using microbiology. and biochemical testing. According to the findings the result of PCR detection 16SrRNA gene (21.6%), Las B (5.4%),Oprl gene (4.6%). Furthermore, a phylogenic tree was established to identify the genetic proximity of different species of the eight isolate gene sequencings, the following GenBank accession numbers were determined and submitted: PP534998, PP534999, PP535000, PP53501, PP535002, PP535003, PP535004, and PP535006. The results showed that the isolation rate of P. aeruginosa in local carp was (28%) higher than the rate of isolates from marine fish (9%) when employing PCR. P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited high similarity (96%) for strains isolated from the United States, followed by (88%) for strains isolated from Iraq, and a lower similarity percentage (55%) with other strains recovered from the United States. In conclusion, the PCR is a reliable tool for molecularly detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa that infected both local carp.

Exploring the environmental impacts of plastic packaging: A comprehensive life cycle analysis for seafood distribution crates

Annually, 8.3 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste enter oceans, prompting the food packaging industry, a major contributor, to minimize its environmental footprint. Within the seafood sector, a nascent number of studies are exploring the impacts of various packaging solutions for distribution, yet clear insights remain elusive. This study tries to fill the gap by comparing the impacts of two seafood packaging options: disposable expandable polystyrene (EPS) boxes and, for the first time, reusable plastic crates (RPC) crafted from high-density polyethylene. Using the life cycle assessment methodology with a ‘cradle to grave’ approach, the research evaluates the distribution of 1260,000 t of fish from port of Vigo (Spain) to various markets. Similar climate change values emerge in local (5.00·107 kg CO2 eq.) and regional trade (1.20·108 kg CO2 eq.) for both options, but RPCs exhibit around a 12 % increase (6.15·108 kg CO2 eq.) during national distribution, emphasizing package weight and load significance. The findings across all impact categories exhibited general consistent trends. The sensitivity analysis suggests relocating washing facilities to port could enhance RPCs´ environmental benefits for transport within a 160 km range. These findings underscore reusable packaging's potential as an eco-friendlier alternative in specific contexts, aligning with heightened environmental concerns and regulatory pressures surrounding plastic usage.

International marketing mix for export in the seafood sector of the Riohacha DETC

Companies, especially SMEs, seek access to international markets in search of economic development as a factor of sustainability and competitiveness. The objective of this paper was to analyze the importance of the international marketing mix for export in the seafood sector of the Special Tourist and Cultural District (STCD) of Riohacha. Methodologically, this research is descriptive and is framed in a quantitative paradigm. The population was composed of 14 managers of fishmongers registered in the Chamber of Commerce of Riohacha. The results indicate that, in terms of products, the marketers recognize that they are competitive for the foreign market. In relation to price, transactions in foreign currencies such as dollars are adequate and competitive. Regarding distribution channels, there are adequate means to export and maintain the cold chain. However, in terms of communication strategies, it was observed that no company has effective tools to make itself known abroad. It is concluded that the entrepreneurs perceive that their products are in demand in the destination markets and that prices and distribution channels are adequate, although the latter could be improved. However, their means and forms of communication are not being used effectively

Risk analysis of crab peeling business: a case study at miniplant Medan I Deli Serdang

Abstract Portunus pelagicus also known as also known as the blue crab, blue swimmer crab, blue manna crab or sand crab is a species of large crab found in the Indo-Pacific, including off the coasts of Indonesia. The crab peeling industry represents an attractive business opportunity in the seafood sector, with growing demand for processed crab meat. Miniplant Medan I is a business located in north Sumatra which specializing in crab peeling to obtain quality crab meat. However, like any business venture, it is not without its inherent risks. This study aims to identify, assess, and evaluate potential risks, uncertainties, and hazards that can affect the crab peeling business Miniplant Medan I. Risk measurement in this study is carried out using the PIM (Probability Impact Matrix) method. The result shows that the highest risk factors in the Miniplant Medan I business are overexploitation of crab’s eggs and small sizes crab, employee negligence in the use of prohibited cosmetic ingredients, use of low-quality raw materials, cold chain disconnection, lack of employee and equipment sanitation.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish and food perception, consumption, and purchasing behaviors of Turkish consumers

The fact that the coronavirus was detected in the Wuhan fish market has affected attitudes toward food, especially fish. This survey questioned the opinions and behaviours during and after lockdowns to understand the temporary and permanent effects of the pandemic. Respondents were concerned about virus transmission from food, especially during lockdowns (58%), while less concerned about transmission from fish (22.9%). Although the majority (57.1%) think that eating fish protects against the virus, they (˃60%) did not tend to consume more fish. Most respondents (49.6%) were concerned about food shortages and experienced food insecurity. Food consumption increased (58%) during lockdowns but decreased (29%) afterwards. Vegetables/fruits (51.4%), bakery (48.4%), grains/legumes (37.5%) consumption increased due to home cooking, and chicken preferred as animal protein. Although respondents preferred to buy online and packaged food, the majority (˃60%) were concerned about the freshness of online-ordered fish and did not prefer it (˃80%). Participants stocked food during the lockdowns (47.3%) but did not make it a habit afterwards. Respondents' answers showed that fish prices increased for budget during the pandemic. Findings will be helpful for the seafood sector and contribute to creating resilient and sustainable food environments that can better respond to future shocks that may affect humanity.

Forecasting a Summer of Extremes: Building Stakeholder Response Capacity to Marine Heatwaves

Forecasts of an El Niño in 2023/2024 raised concern among Australian marine stakeholders regarding its potential impacts on marine industries and systems. National level seafood-focused climate briefings were requested by the fisheries sector for the first time, driven by various state and regional level meetings and information requests. To respond to stakeholder needs, six virtual national marine climate briefings were undertaken through the austral 2023/2024 summer, underpinned by new subseasonal to seasonal marine heatwave forecast capabilities. These briefings were developed in collaboration with multiple science organizations and were targeted to industry and management authorities across the Australian seafood sector. As a result, targeted information products, additional regional and sector-specific briefings, and state response plans were developed. Collectively, these briefings were a catalyst for positive and rapid action in policy, management, industry, and research arenas. This experience showed that the combination of seasonal forecasting capability, inter-agency coordination, strong stakeholder engagement, and effective science communication plays a critical role in improving the understanding of, planning for, and responses to extreme events.

Improved traceability in seafood supply chains is achievable by minimising vulnerable nodes in processing and distribution networks

Seafood is a globally traded commodity, often involving complex supply chains which have varying degrees of traceability. A robust traceability system for seafood supply chains enables the collection and communication of key information about catch and fisheries origins vital for assurance of the legality and sustainability of seafood products. End-to-end traceability is increasingly demanded by retailers, consumers, NGOs and regulatory bodies to ensure food safety, deter IUU fishing and verify sustainable and ethical credentials. Here, we map three UK seafood supply chains and evaluate traceability performance in: Dover sole landed in the south west of England, North-East Atlantic (NEA) mackerel landed at Peterhead, Scotland, and brown crab and European lobster, landed at Bridlington, England. Through a comparative analysis of traceability performance, this study suggests improvements to the technologies, processes, and systems for traceability in the seafood sector. The application of monitoring technologies and regulatory changes across the sector have increased traceability and potentially reduced instances of IUU fishing. While shorter supply chains are more likely to achieve end-to-end traceability, vulnerable nodes in processing and distribution networks may result in a loss of seafood traceability. While traceability systems may provide sustainability information on seafood, a high level of traceability performance does not necessarily equate to a sustainable source fishery. Encouragingly, while UK seafood supply chains are meeting minimum regulatory requirements for traceability, in the present study, many stakeholders have indicated ambitions towards traceability best practice in order to provide confidence and trust in the UK fishing industry.

Conflict and alignment on aquaculture among Californian communities

Expanding sustainable aquaculture, particularly marine aquaculture, has been increasingly discussed as a pathway for meeting growing seafood demands while reducing the environmental cost of production, including within the United States. California, the state with the largest economy, population, and seafood demand, plays a large role in the domestic seafood landscape and is currently re-evaluating policy and practices toward sustainable aquaculture through the development of a state Aquaculture Action Plan (AAP). To inform the development of the plan, we surveyed California interest groups and community members with association or knowledge of marine aquaculture to understand sentiment around current and future aquaculture in the state, both positive and negative. Specifically, we conducted surveys and a scenario exercise with a representative focus group (“in-person” group) and a broader community of others engaged in marine aquaculture (“survey” group). Participants spanned aquaculturists, commercial fishers, government agency representatives, environmental NGO advocates, academics and tribal members. We found people generally preferred California farms to focus on expanding seaweed and bivalve production, and not land-based finfish or crustaceans; simultaneously, people tended to show a strong preference for local production to fill the seafood production-consumption gap in the state. Notably, the preference of our respondents for the type of seafood to be farmed is in conflict with broader consumer preferences, as California residents (and the U.S generally) predominantly consume shrimp and fish. In support of the broader sentiment of developing locally accessible seafood, both groups expressed a strong preference for increased production to be from small farms and distributed locally. Adoption of local aquaculture products would likely be facilitated by programs that increase traceability and labeling of seafood within the state. We found consensus among groups that aquaculture is important in the state and national seafood sector now and will become more important in the future. Finally, there was strong preference in our study against reliance on foreign imports, a mismatch with the current trade landscape. In sum, our work highlights areas of alignment and contention within key interest groups for the future direction of and vision for marine aquaculture in California. California may be at an inflection point for marine aquaculture, and the success or failure of efforts to expand aquaculture will likely rest on how well policy can respond to the input and preferences of key communities and interest groups.

An analysis of the early impacts of COVID-19 on Peruvian fisheries and mariculture

Abstract The coastal waters off Peru are among the world’s most productive, thanks to the Humboldt Current and its strong coastal upwelling. Fisheries and an ever-expanding mariculture sector provide millions of Peruvians livelihoods, income, and nutrition. Coastal communities engaging with these sectors face a volatile environment they have historically adapted to. But when the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in 2020, affecting all aspects of life, challenges for the fisheries and mariculture sectors emerged to a yet unprecedented extent. This work applies a mixed-method approach for documenting and analysing the effects of the pandemic on the Peruvian seafood sector and seafood worker’s economy in particular. Mobility restrictions and market closures disrupted seafood supply chains, altering access to nutrition and income for many people involved. Interviewees aimed to diversify livelihood strategies and use personal networks to withstand the crisis, while some established adaptation strategies, such as migration towards other fishing grounds, were largely impeded. Our results highlight the vulnerability of seafood value chains—mainly artisanal and small-scale fisheries—in the face of such a global crisis. The implications of the pandemic for the long-term sustainability of Peruvian coastal–marine activities are discussed and set into the context of previously experienced crises in the region.

The nexus between COVID-19 and finfish export from Sri Lanka to its main trading partners; the United States and the European Union

The Sri Lankan seafood sector has been seriously disturbed during the Covid 19 pandemic due to a bleak demand outlook as well as an array of supply challenges. Identification of the effects of this new challenge to the global fish trade is critical to take actions to sustain the market and manage resilience in such uncertain periods. Study aims to assess the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on Sri Lanka's finfish exports to its key trading partners, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU). The time series data were gathered from the United Nations commodity trade database between January 2017 and December 2022. Study used structural break point analysis of time series data, followed by time series regression with the Covid-19 impact as a dummy variable using EVIEWS statistical software. Compared to 2019, total finfish exports to the United States dropped by 56.5% in 2020 and 72.5% in 2021 while finfish exports to European market increased by 7% and 28% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The Covid-19 dummy was statistically significant in the time series regression, with a coefficient value of -71.93 in USA trade flow which implies that Covid-19 has a negative impact on finfish trade to the USA. In contrast, statistically significant impact was not found in finfish trade to the EU during the pandemic and this mainly because European seafood market impacted due to Covid-19 yet imports from developing countries fell slightly and overall demand for seafood has remained largely stable throughout 2020. However, study suggested that future research should focus on the country-specific product sensitivity at the individual product level.

Chitooligosaccharide-catechin conjugate: Antimicrobial mechanisms toward Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its use in shucked Asian green mussel

Vibrio parahaemolyticus often contributes to a serious foodborne disease outbreak when marine mussels are consumed. The number of drug-resistant isolates of bacteria has also been increased, which makes clinical treatment more challenging. In general, a single food preservative cannot inhibit drug-resistant V. parahaemolyticus in seafood effectively. Inhibition effect of shrimp shell chitooligosaccharide (COS)-catechin (CAT) conjugate toward V. parahaemolyticus was studied. COS-CAT conjugate was able to inhibit V. parahaemolyticus with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.256 and 1.024 mg/L, respectively. Based on time-killing profiles, V. parahaemolyticus cells in shucked Asian green mussels were inactivated by 84% after 2 MIC (0.512 mg/mL) treatment for 6 h. The COS-CAT conjugate mainly caused membrane disruptions and damages as witnessed by numerous pores and concaves on the cell surface. Membrane damages were further confirmed by the increases in conductivity, extracellular malondialdehyde content, and potassium and magnesium ion leakages. Furthermore, the virulence factors of V. parahaemolyticus, involving extracellular polysaccharide, biofilm production and motility, were significantly inhibited. COS-CAT conjugate might attach to genomic DNA after cell deformation. Hence, COS-CAT conjugate could be used as a promising food-grade antibacterial agent, particularly against V. parahaemolyticus in the seafood sector.

The socioeconomic impact of the seafood sector at Ireland’s main ports

The seafood sector in Ireland is an important economic and social driver for communities around the coastline of the island. Many coastal communities in Ireland are situated far from regional urban centres with lower levels of infrastructure making these locations less attractive to industry. In order to capture detailed information on seafood supply chains in Ireland and how these evolve over time, a programme of periodical assessments of the top ten fishing ports was developed. While many studies have assessed the links of seafood sectors with the wider economy at the national level or for a specific port, no studies have been found that assess the sector at numerous ports across multiple regions of a country. The assessment detailed here will be carried out every five years utilizing the same methodology where linkages of the seafood sector with other parts of the local, regional and national economies will be assessed by surveying producers and adapting national input-output tables with the survey results. The survey was carried out in 2019 and the data collected referred to production in 2018. The main findings were that for every four direct employees in the seafood sector, three were employed in the wider economy. Significant variance in multipliers was found across ports and subsectors highlighting the importance of assessing multiple ports and regions when assessing the national seafood sector. In this paper the methodology used to carry out this assessment will be detailed with an overview of the results across the main ports.

Thai Labour NGOs during the ‘Modern Slavery’ Reforms: NGO Transitions in a Post‐aid World

ABSTRACTThis article explores how domestic NGOs responded to new opportunities that emerged during the 2015–2020 ‘modern slavery’ labour reforms in Thailand's seafood sector. The analysis takes place against the background of civil society transitions in a ‘post‐aid’ setting. Like NGOs in other middle‐income countries, the Thai NGO sector has struggled to remain relevant and financially viable in recent decades, as international donors have withdrawn from countries with steadily declining poverty rates. As a result of the ‘developmental successes’ of Thailand, the NGO sector needed to rethink its strategies. Examining the modern slavery labour reform process provides an opportunity to understand the strategic choices available to NGOs in the face of several important phenomena: the emergence of new actors such as international philanthropic donors; the growing influence of the private sector in governance matters; and the need for NGOs to balance multiple strategic alliances. The article draws on in‐depth interviews to explore narratives of Thai labour NGO adjustments during the period of the modern slavery reform. The study contributes to a better understanding of how NGOs in post‐aid countries transition and adapt to changing circumstances by embracing new roles as ‘sub‐contractors’ for emerging global philanthropic donors and as ‘partners’ of private corporations.

Socio-Economic View of Fisheries Processing Sector Employees: Black Sea Region-Türkiye

In this study, the socio-economic status of the employees who work in the seafood processing plants operating in the Black Sea region provinces was examined in order to reveal the social and economic data. 37 enterprises, which have a production permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, are located in 7 provinces in the Black Sea region, where 18 provinces are located. It has been studied with 532 interviewers in 28 companies that are actively operating, with a participation of 24 questions each. 19 of the enterprises work for fish and fish products (cold and frozen storage), 4 are for snails, and 5 are for fish meal and oil processing plants. 63.9% of the employees are male. When we look at the distribution of the employees’ age groups, the rate of 31-40 years was the highest with a percentage of 36.64%. Regarding the education levels, it is seen that secondary school graduates constitute the highest rate with a percentage of 38.91%. It has been detected that 99.62% of the employees have social security, and all of them take advantage of the social security institution. For the marital status, it is determined that 73.50% of the employees are married. Studies on the seafood sector, which is important in the world and in our country, reveal important data.

Unraveling the antibacterial mechanism of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MY2 cell-free supernatants against Aeromonas hydrophila ST3 and potential application in raw tuna

Aeromonas hydrophila is a pathogenic and spoilage bacterium, frequently found in aquatic products, demonstrated to cause foodborne illness and food spoilage. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum can act as an efficient antibacterial agent against foodborne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial mechanism of CFS of L. plantarum MY2 against A. hydrophila ST3 and potential application in raw tuna. Herein, the inhibitory activity of CFS against A. hydrophila , causing damage to the membrane structure of the cell with 10% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), has been revealed. Changes in the key enzyme activity of TCA cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle) and changes of 114 significant metabolites revealed the disordered metabolism of A. hydrophila under CFS treatment. The significant different metabolites (VIP values > 1 and P -value < 0.05) were mainly involved in amino acids metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. Challenge tests demonstrated the CFS could inhibit the growth of A. hydrophila in raw tuna effectively, with 2.03 log CFU/g and 2.44 log CFU/g populations reduction for 4 days of storage at MIC and 2MIC treatment groups compared to control groups, respectively. This study thus confirmed the antibacterial efficacy of CFS of L. plantarum MY2, and suggested the potential of CFS as an antibacterial agent for application in the seafood sector to reduce the food poisoning and spoilage caused by A. hydrophila . • CFS of L. plantarum can inhibit A. hydrophila growth in vitro and in raw tuna. • Cell membrane structure of A. hydrophila was destroyed after CFS treatment. • In the metabolomic 114 significantly differential metabolites were identified. • Metabolic pathway and the key enzyme activity were disturbed after CFS treatment.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Blue Economy: Why they matter and how do we achieve them?

The Blue Economy (BE) has captured the attention of diverse interests to the ocean and there is rising concern about making it more equitable and inclusive. As it currently stands, diversity, social equity, and inclusion considerations have not been foregrounded in the discourse surrounding the BE and are continuously overlooked and undervalued. This paper reviews the ongoing social inequalities in the BE and distribution of benefits and costs across different groups in society. It also explores why equity matters, and how it can be achieved. Mirroring the call for under-represented or marginalized social groups to receive a fair share of the returns, which may be more than they have received to date. Our analysis shows that between 1988 and 2017, a Germany–based company has registered about 39% of all known marine genetic resources, while three companies in Asia control 30% of the market share of seafood sector in 2018. These findings show high consolidation of the ocean space by top corporations. Therefore, this paper argues that the exclusion of equity considerations within the BE investments can undermine ocean-based activities such as marine wildlife conservation initiatives that may disrupt the ocean sustainability agenda.

Consumer Attitudes towards Fish and Seafood in Portugal: Opportunities for Footprint Reduction

Fish and seafood are central to the Portuguese diet, comprising a significant portion of Portugal’s Ecological Footprint. Diversifying dietary preferences is important because it has the potential to reduce pressure on marine ecosystems. We explored this opportunity by coupling (1) an Ecological Footprint assessment of Portugal to quantify the environmental impacts of Portugal’s food consumption choices (particularly fish and seafood), with (2) a consumer survey to assess attitudes towards fish and seafood of Portuguese residents and their willingness to modify their preferences, thus shedding light on the potential for sustainable dietary choices in Portugal and the best strategies by which to achieve them. Ecological Footprint results confirm that Portugal is unique in the Mediterranean region in that its food Footprint is driven by fish and seafood consumption, while, for most other countries, the main driver is meat. Results from the consumer survey show that Portuguese fish and seafood preferences are characterized by a high frequency of consumption and a preference for high trophic level species. Age was the primary demographic factor influencing consumption habits in Portugal. Moreover, Portuguese consumers lack knowledge on sustainable fishing practices. Actions and strategies to increase sustainable dietary choices in Portugal will need to consider these factors. We recommend targeted outreach messaging for different age groups, more and better information on sustainable options, together with efforts to protect marine biodiversity. Future research needs to better understand the whole value chain and all relevant stakeholders of the fish and seafood sector for more effective incentives for Footprint reduction.

Moving beyond least developed country status: Challenges to diversifying Bangladesh’s seafood exports

Bangladesh is due to graduate from Least Developed Country status, resulting in the loss of preferential market access for textiles and ready-made-garments in key import markets. The paper examines the opportunities and constraints for developing a stronger export market orientation in the Bangladesh fish and seafood sector. We discuss the role of public and private standards in food safety and quality, as well as empirical evidence for their effect on fish and seafood value chains. We assess the factors limiting diversification into fish and seafood exports and constraints to value chain enhancement. The experience of export-oriented shrimp value chains provides lessons for the aquaculture sector. High costs of compliance with public and private standards and inability to meet traceability requirements for food safety and quality present a significant challenge. In diversifying beyond domestic markets for fish and seafood, the policy challenge lies in striking an appropriate balance between intervention and guidance.

Enhancing domestic consumption to deliver food security in a volatile world

Abstract Non-technical summary Global conflicts and the pandemic reveal the risks of food import reliance. In the UK, pandemic, Brexit, and Ukraine war caused food price spikes. To bolster food security, the UK needs to produce and consume more domestically, including nutrient-rich bivalve mollusks. Current mollusk exports hinder domestic food sources. Promoting domestic consumption through convenient, attractive products and taxing unhealthy processed foods can help. Reducing reliance on food trade is crucial amid global instability and climate change. The UK's mollusk export issues illustrate food security risks of excessive reliance on international trade. Technical summary Here we examine the critical issue of food security in the context of international volatility, emphasizing the risks associated with an excessive reliance on food trade. The UK's experience with disruptions caused by the pandemic, Brexit, and the Ukraine war, resulting in a significant surge in food prices, serves as a pertinent case study. The research underscores the potential benefits of increasing domestic food production and consumption to enhance resilience against global events. The UK's current production, export, and import statistics are analyzed, with a particular focus on the fish and seafood sector. The study highlights the bivalve mollusk industry, such as blue mussels, as an example of an underutilized domestic resource. Bivalve mollusks are rich in essential micronutrients, yet their consumption in the UK is low compared to other countries. We propose strategies to boost domestic demand, including incorporating bivalve meat into processed food products, utilizing advanced technologies to improve taste and texture, and government intervention through taxes on unhealthy processed foods to promote better nutritional profiles. In summary, the study emphasizes the need for greater self-sufficiency in food production to mitigate vulnerabilities resulting from an overreliance on food trade in the context of international conflicts and climate change. Social media summary Failure to effectively utilize domestic food resources and overreliance on trade threatens food security in an increasingly volatile world.

Blockchain Applications in Fisheries

Urbanization has led to increasing fish consumption, resulting in high demand for fish and fish products. Challenges in this sector, include fraudulent fish supply, overfishing, unscientific handling, quality concerns, etc. Blockchain-based systems in the seafood sector could provide traceability access to the seafood for the consumers and authorities to know if the seafood consumed/sold is legal, ethical, hygienic, economic, etc. Blockchain platforms like Ethereum promote secure digital collaboration of the actors across the supply chain eliminating the intermediaries. The literature documents a very limited number of blockchains that operate in the fisheries sector. Pacifical Atato is designed to promote and develop yellowfin tuna supply chains of Pacific island nations. Project Provenance Limited seeks to bring an end to the unsustainable fishing practices. Tuna distribution through transparent, novel chains is the goal of TraSeable solutions. Treum explored the investments to develop the supply chains of fisheries in the South Pacific. IBM’s Food Trust traces food supplies, including farmed shrimp from India, and is affiliated with retailers like Walmart, Nestle, etc. OpenSC is a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) project that ensures ethical product sourcing and uses QR (Quick Response) code scanning and RFID (Radio Frequency Technology) to track fish.