Today the Labor, National and Liberal Parties teamed up in the Senate to vote down a simple country of origin seafood labelling bill that was co-sponsored by the Greens and cross-benchers.

This Bill was proposed following a long campaign by an unusual alliance of commercial fishing industry and environmental groups and was featured in the popular SBS TV Series “What’s the Catch?”

The Bill was going to mandate for a simple and clear “local or imported” label for the retail sale of seafood.

Today the Greens stood with other Senators to introduce a seafood labelling Bill into Parliament that will deliver better outcomes for consumers, the local seafood industry, and our marine environment said the Fisheries spokesperson for the Greens, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

The Greens welcome this first step towards adequate labelling of seafood that would ultimately be beneficial to consumers, the local fishing industry, the marine environment and the national economy says the Fisheries spokesperson for the Greens, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Senator Whish-Wilson said “The message from the Seafood Labelling Senate Inquiry to the Tasmanian seafood industry is ‘Merry Christmas’.

The Greens spokesperson for Fisheries, Peter Whish-Wilson welcomes the establishment of the Label My Fish Alliance who is calling for improved labelling of seafood.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “The evidence is in. With clearer labelling of seafood, we can achieve healthier oceans and ensure local commercial fishers get better a financial return from their effort.

“Australians who have viewed “What’s the Catch?” on SBS recently have been horrified to learn the dark side of where some of our imported seafood comes from.