Have you ever wondered where your seafood comes from?
If you have… you’re not alone! We have too, so we’re actively working on learning more about it and making this information more accessible.
That’s why the Department of Environment through the Blue Belt Programme have recently launched a seafood survey at fish counters across all three islands, at all major supermarkets. The survey is quick, anonymous and aims to understand what factors are important to consumers when they purchase fish.
Seafood labels are lacking
Ongoing research on seafood import and vessel activity in and around Cayman waters highlights that it’s difficult for consumers to make conscious or smarter seafood choices when the labels provide little more than the type of fish and the price per pound.
It was clear that information is important as it’s regularly included on other meat products like chicken and beef.
Knowing where something came from, whether it’s certified organic, when it was harvested and the price are all determining factors when consumers shop for other items – so why was this not included for seafood?
That’s where the survey comes in – your voice matters Cayman and our job is to amplify it.
Oh Snap!
Snapper is a staple on tables across the Caribbean and in the Cayman Islands this is no exception.
However, not all red coloured snapper is actually Caribbean Red Snapper (Lutjanus purpureus)! The motivation behind the survey came from trying to get to the bottom of trying to source where our beloved snappers come from.
It turns out that there are at least four different species of snapper that are currently being sold under the “red snapper” label and only 14 registered fishing vessels operating in the Cayman Islands. Much of our snapper therefore seems to come from elsewhere and imported into the Islands.
Smarter choices start with trustworthy information
There has been general confusion around definitions such as “jetfresh”, “fresh caught”, “catch of the day” and “local caught”. Currently this information is not verified, and it can be confusing to try to make informed decisions with a distinct lack of trustworthy information.
We understand that there are probably more answers than questions such as…
- How do I really support local?
- Is eating local caught actually sustainable?
- What fish should I avoid eating?
- When should I eat certain types of fish?
- How do I know if the fish I’m eating is fresh?
If you’ve ever found yourself asking any of the above questions, our seafood survey provides an opportunity to help you have your concerns heard.
We want to hear from you so that we can better understand how to work to address them and empower the Cayman community in your efforts to make smarter seafood choices and support the sustainable management of our fisheries while supporting Caymanian livelihoods.