Advocacy group sheds light on 'dark secret' looming around supermarkets' seafood section
- Replies 5
Shopping for essentials is an integral part of daily life—though it may occasionally come with surprises.
Amidst the neatly stacked salmon packets, a small sticker with an eye-opening message may shock you.
Multiple packs of salmon were spotted at Coles and Woolworths with a small message reading 'Warning Extinction Risk'.
While it seems like a new marketing ploy, it is a bold statement from a guerrilla consumer advocacy campaign to expose a 'dark secret' behind some salmon products on the shelves.
Conservationists from the Bob Brown Foundation participated in the campaign to inform shoppers that certain salmon products sold by major supermarkets have been linked to the decline of a unique marine species, the Maugean skate.
The Maugean skate, which resembles a stingray, can only be found in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, where there are believed to be fewer than 1,000 individuals left.
Both supermarket giants claimed that their own-brand salmon is 'sustainably sourced'; however, some of the salmon harvested came from the home of the Maugean skate.
Experts raised concerns about industrial salmon farming practices in the area—mainly the waste produced and oxygen reduction—heavily contribute to the skate's potential extinction.
'If you're a conscious shopper looking at own-brand Coles or Woolworths salmon, there's no way for you to tell where it comes from,' Bob Brown Foundation Alistair Allan shared.
'Whether it's farmed in Macquarie Harbour or the Huon Channel, nothing can distinguish it. There's no way to tell if this product has this dark secret lying underneath that's driving an animal to extinction. It's up to them to provide clear, obvious and truthful labelling to their consumers.'
Coles acknowledged the concerns regarding the Maugean Skate and claims to be working with stakeholders to understand the impact of salmon farming on the species.
'We continue to review the Coles Responsibly Sourced Seafood Program to reduce potential environmental impacts linked to seafood production,' a Coles spokesperson stated.
Woolworths also stated that it monitors the situation and noted ongoing reviews and research investments to protect the skate.
'We note that the industry, state and federal governments are taking this matter seriously and that a review is underway along with investment into research to understand the issue better and protect the Maugean skate,' a Woolworths spokesperson shared.
However, the Bob Brown Foundation argued that the supermarkets' actions are not enough and are too slow.
'Every time we try to follow up, they say "We need more time"; but the Maugean Skate has very little time,' Allan claimed, as the number of species dropped by 47 per cent between 2014 and 2021.
The salmon industry has also defended itself, stating that it is being unfairly targeted and actively investing in projects to improve water quality, such as a major oxygenation project.
They also point to other factors contributing to the environmental challenges faced by the Maugean skate, including climate change, gill-net fishing, and historical mining sediment.
As of writing, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is reviewing a policy allowing salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
However, the foundation needs immediate action, as the Maugean Skate might be the first animal to go extinct during the Albanese government.
The controversy over salmon labelling and sustainability claims reached the Australian Senate, where a recent inquiry into Greenwashing saw supermarket representatives grilled over their practices.
Despite the supermarkets' assurances that their salmon is third-party certified, the Bob Brown Foundation contended that the certification guidelines are insufficient if they allow for sustainability claims on products linked to the endangerment of a species.
The foundation suggested another solution: supermarkets could source their salmon from other parts of Tasmania, which would constitute only a small fraction of their total supply and absolve them from contributing to the extinction risk of the Maugean skate.
As Australians, we cherish our unique and diverse nature.
It's essential to stay informed about where our food comes from and how our choices impact the ecosystem.
We encourage you to look beyond the packaging and consider the origins of the seafood you purchase. By doing so, we can all help protect our precious marine life.
Have you encountered these stickers in your local supermarket? What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your experiences and join the conversation in the comments section below.
Amidst the neatly stacked salmon packets, a small sticker with an eye-opening message may shock you.
Multiple packs of salmon were spotted at Coles and Woolworths with a small message reading 'Warning Extinction Risk'.
While it seems like a new marketing ploy, it is a bold statement from a guerrilla consumer advocacy campaign to expose a 'dark secret' behind some salmon products on the shelves.
Conservationists from the Bob Brown Foundation participated in the campaign to inform shoppers that certain salmon products sold by major supermarkets have been linked to the decline of a unique marine species, the Maugean skate.
Several salmon packets at Coles and Woolworths bore a 'Warning: Extinction Risk' sticker from the Bob Brown Foundation advocates. Image Credits: Woolworths, Bob Brown Foundation
The Maugean skate, which resembles a stingray, can only be found in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, where there are believed to be fewer than 1,000 individuals left.
Both supermarket giants claimed that their own-brand salmon is 'sustainably sourced'; however, some of the salmon harvested came from the home of the Maugean skate.
Experts raised concerns about industrial salmon farming practices in the area—mainly the waste produced and oxygen reduction—heavily contribute to the skate's potential extinction.
'If you're a conscious shopper looking at own-brand Coles or Woolworths salmon, there's no way for you to tell where it comes from,' Bob Brown Foundation Alistair Allan shared.
'Whether it's farmed in Macquarie Harbour or the Huon Channel, nothing can distinguish it. There's no way to tell if this product has this dark secret lying underneath that's driving an animal to extinction. It's up to them to provide clear, obvious and truthful labelling to their consumers.'
Coles acknowledged the concerns regarding the Maugean Skate and claims to be working with stakeholders to understand the impact of salmon farming on the species.
'We continue to review the Coles Responsibly Sourced Seafood Program to reduce potential environmental impacts linked to seafood production,' a Coles spokesperson stated.
Woolworths also stated that it monitors the situation and noted ongoing reviews and research investments to protect the skate.
'We note that the industry, state and federal governments are taking this matter seriously and that a review is underway along with investment into research to understand the issue better and protect the Maugean skate,' a Woolworths spokesperson shared.
However, the Bob Brown Foundation argued that the supermarkets' actions are not enough and are too slow.
'Every time we try to follow up, they say "We need more time"; but the Maugean Skate has very little time,' Allan claimed, as the number of species dropped by 47 per cent between 2014 and 2021.
The salmon industry has also defended itself, stating that it is being unfairly targeted and actively investing in projects to improve water quality, such as a major oxygenation project.
They also point to other factors contributing to the environmental challenges faced by the Maugean skate, including climate change, gill-net fishing, and historical mining sediment.
As of writing, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is reviewing a policy allowing salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
However, the foundation needs immediate action, as the Maugean Skate might be the first animal to go extinct during the Albanese government.
Independent Senator David Pocock and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young expressed scepticism and concern over the effectiveness of current certification standards.Despite the supermarkets' assurances that their salmon is third-party certified, the Bob Brown Foundation contended that the certification guidelines are insufficient if they allow for sustainability claims on products linked to the endangerment of a species.
The foundation suggested another solution: supermarkets could source their salmon from other parts of Tasmania, which would constitute only a small fraction of their total supply and absolve them from contributing to the extinction risk of the Maugean skate.
As Australians, we cherish our unique and diverse nature.
It's essential to stay informed about where our food comes from and how our choices impact the ecosystem.
We encourage you to look beyond the packaging and consider the origins of the seafood you purchase. By doing so, we can all help protect our precious marine life.
.png){kind=icon}
