From Wednesday, all seafood sold in Australian restaurants, cafes, pubs, and takeaway shops must be labelled under new mandatory national laws designed to give customers greater transparency about the origin of their fish. The system uses three simple letters: A for Australian, I for imported, and M for mixed, ending the guesswork for diners.
How the New Labelling System Works
The new rules require every seafood dish to be clearly marked with one of three letters. Fisheries Minister Julie Collins explained, “So if you’re getting your delivery, I won’t name the delivery companies, but if you’re getting your delivery to your door and you’re getting fish and chips, that fish should have A, I or M.” This applies to all food service outlets, ensuring consistency across the industry.
Industry Reaction and Early Adoption
At Hobart’s waterfront institution Mures, the system is already second nature. The restaurant has been labelling their fish for years. General manager Eve Mures said, “This new law kind of puts us, or puts restaurants, in an even playing field and gives customers transparency when they’re choosing where they’re getting their seafood from.” Fisherman Wilson Mure added, “It’s probably more for tourists, and they come in and it’s nice for them to see exactly where the fish are.”
Boosting Australia’s Seafood Industry
The federal government is pitching the change as more transparency for diners and a boost to Australia’s $3 billion seafood industry. “So this is important information for Australians,” Collins said. “It has been in testing for a while now.” The new laws aim to support local fishermen and provide consumers with clear information to make informed choices.
