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ABSTRACT
FAO member countries requested a study on gap analysis of seafood traceability systems and stipulated the parameters in paragraph 38 of the Report of the thirteenth session of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI:FT), held in Hyderabad, India, in February 2012. This research was completed by two expert consultants and initially presented as an Information Note to the fifteenth session of COFI:FT in Agadir, Morocco, in February 2016. The report identifies and analyses gaps and inconsistencies in the current traceability standards and regulations worldwide, taking into account the following traceability specifications requested by member countries, namely: (i) how the integrity of product tracking is maintained; (ii) special consideration for developing countries and small-scale fisheries; (iii) the notion of equivalency; and (iv) the notion of harmonization. The key terms in understanding the concept of traceability are explained. The authors note that previous analysis of seafood traceability practices identified three main categories of traceability standards and regulations that this analysis follows: international standards and guidelines; regulatory standards and industry and NGO non-regulatory standards. This analysis employs a multi-methods approach from a multi- and interdisciplinary perspective, which involves the following steps: (i) conceptualization of key terms; (ii) a comprehensive literature review; (iii) a gap analysis; and (iv) a content analysis. According to the authors, seafood traceability approaches remain underdeveloped and fractured across geographies, jurisdictions and market sectors. The gaps in seafood traceability systems identified in this analysis are: awareness, commitment, implementation, technology and standards. The authors include recommendations on how to address each of these traceability gaps.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This study was commissioned to identify and analyse gaps and inconsistencies in the current traceability standards and regulations, by taking into account the following traceability specifications: (i) how the integrity of product tracking is maintained; (ii) special consideration for developing countries and small-scale fisheries; (iii) the notion of equivalency; and (iv) the notion of harmonization. As a first step in reaching this goal, the key terms in understanding the concept of traceability were explained (e.g. granularity, transformations, referential integrity), which was described in connection with related notions (e.g. traceability systems, transparency, analytical methods).The second step consisted in performing a comprehensive literature review that served as a basis for building the gap analysis of the traceability standards...