In his presentation, Ian Goulding talks about "Origin of the species; where does your lunch come from?" Mr. Goulding was in Iceland on behalf of United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme, located in Iceland (www.unuftp.is). The presentation was held in Matís HQ in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Recent years have a seen a convergence of needs for traceability of fishery products reaching the market, as several policy strands demand better information regarding supply chain linkages to ensure effective controls.

Fish from capture fisheries presents unique problems in relation to traceability since it is the only hunted food product which is substantially traded internationally. Compared to sessile production of agricultural products (including aquaculture) it presents unique problems in traceability.
This paper will explore the requirements for traceability in the fish supply chain relation to i) food safety; ii) legality of catch and sustainability of resource (especially in the topical context of IUU red and yellow cards issued by the EU); and iii) tariff preferences (concerning rules of origin). It will set out some of the challenges involved (trace back, trace forwards) and illustrate the approaches adopted by regulators, certifying bodies and fishery sector operators, as well as some of the accompanying tools which also should be in place (mandatory recall and withdrawal, disclosure of information etc).

Forensic tools borrowed from the world of financial audit (such as mass balancing, financial analysis and risk analysis) are increasingly employed to confirm the integrity of declared origins in the fishery sector, but all demand an infrastructure including a traceability systems and capacity for on the spot quantitative confirmation. Few countries have recognised the potential to centralise data systems regarding products origins. There is a need for better guidance to fishery sector operators in terms of clear regulation for traceability systems, and to breakdown the silo approach to governance by investing in pooled data systems across fisheries, customs and food safety authorities.

Ian Goulding is a specialist in fish quality, processing and international aspects of fisheries management. He qualified in the UK as an Environmental Health Officer, has a Masters degree in Food Science and a PhD in Fish Technology and Marketing. He has 30+ years of experience in the fish industry, in quality control, product development, international trade and fish processing, as well as in research, consultancy and training functions.

Since 1986 he has worked as a consultant offering specialist advice and assistance to the fishery sector. He worked for seven years for the UK Government on long term projects in Ecuador and Egypt. He has worked for private companies, as an expert witness and on development projects in Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, South America and Central and Eastern Europe. He has advised the EU on socio-economic impacts of fisheries, fisheries agreements with third countries, IUU fishing controls and sanitary aspects of trade on fishery products. He has been instrumental in helping numerous less developed countries meet sanitary requirements for export of fisheries to international markets.

Since 1994 he has been Managing Director of a fisheries consultancy firm, Megapesca Lda of Portugal, where he has managed more than 500 contracts funded by international development agencies. Ian is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK), and Board Member of the International Association of Fish Inspectors. He runs the IAFI Peter Howgate Award for young fish technologists and edits the popular monthly newsletter “Fishfiles Lite” on EU fisheries matters. He has UK and Portuguese nationalities, and speaks English and Portuguese.

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