WAYS TO AVOID FAKE SEAFOOD

Here are five ways experts and industry insiders recommend consumers protect themselves:

FILLET YOURSELF

It’s harder to misrepresent whole fish than fillets as many white, flaky fish, for example, look similar after they’re filleted, according to the report.

THINK SMALL

Fishmonger Hana Nelson suggests frequenting smaller, independent fishmongers and restaurants that have a strong reputation in the community. Consumers can look for companies that participate in voluntary traceability systems, like one run by the Marine Stewardship Council, according to the report.

ASK QUESTIONS

When purchasing or ordering seafood, it’s OK to ask questions like the species of fish and how it was caught, said Julia Levin, seafood fraud campaigner for advocacy group Oceana Canada. “If the person at the restaurant or the person behind the counter has no idea what species (it) is, no idea where it came from and no idea how it was caught, that should raise alarm flags,” she said.

Chef Brad Long, who owns Café Belong in Toronto and was briefed on the study’s findings before they were made public, said employees should eventually realize it’s their responsibility to provide answers if enough consumers demand them.

BE WARY OF DEALS

It’s generally going to be more expensive to purchase high-quality, sustainably caught seafood, said Nelson. Oceana Canada warns that if a price appears surprisingly low, the deal is probably too good to be true.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

It helps to know when favoured seafood is in season, according to the report, as it’s more likely to come across fraudulent products during the off-season.