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European aquaculture group calls for crackdown on misleading ‘seabass’ labels

Responsible Seafood Advocate

FEAP warns that mislabeling fish as seabass confuses consumers and undermines trust in sustainable seafood

European sea bass
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) is urging stricter accuracy in seafood labeling, citing growing instances in which fish marketed as “seabass” are not European sea bass – a practice the group says could mislead consumers and harm the continent’s aquaculture industry. Photo by nasserhalaweh via Wikimedia Commons.

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) is urging stricter accuracy in seafood labeling, citing growing instances in which fish marketed as “seabass” are not European sea bass – a practice the group says could mislead consumers and harm the continent’s aquaculture industry.

According to FEAP, recent market reviews show that barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a fish native to the Indo-Pacific, is often sold simply as “seabass” in parts of Asia and the Middle East. The group says this practice can confuse consumers and diminish the reputation of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a separate species farmed sustainably across the Mediterranean.

“Accurate labelling is essential to ensure transparency, maintain consumer confidence and protect fair competition in international trade,” wrote FEAP representatives in a press release. “Misleading product descriptions not only confuse consumers but also dilute the value of high-quality European aquaculture products that comply with stringent environmental, food safety and traceability standards.”

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FEAP is urging regulators, retailers and seafood producers to ensure that fish are labeled with both their correct common and scientific names. The group said products made from Lates calcarifer should be identified as barramundi, giant sea perch or Asian sea bass – terms recognized by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – to distinguish these species from European sea bass.

“Ensuring truthful labelling supports informed consumer choices, protects the integrity of international seafood markets and helps sustain the positive image of European aquaculture globally,” wrote the organization.

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