On 11 November 2008 the NT put in place laws , by way of licence condition, under the Fisheries Act that require fish retailers serving imported seafood for public consumption to state if the product is imported.

The conditions apply to menus in hotels, restaurants and cafes as well as takeaways. These fish labeling laws are considered, by Industry, to be extremely beneficial in assisting consumers in making informed seafood choices.

The NT is the first Australian jurisdiction to implement such laws. Seafood labeling laws in other jurisdictions cease at the back door of food outlets, leaving consumers unable, in many instances, to determine if the seafood in their meals is harvested in Australia or if it is imported.

The fish retailer seafood labeling laws will have been in place for a year when this project will commence. The NTSC feels it is important to identify what impact the labeling measures are having along the supply chain (i.e. from harvest to the consumer).

There is a significant need to understand whether the seafood labeling laws have lead to changes in seafood purchasing behaviour.

Of particular interest is quantifying whether there has been a negative impact which may have lead to decreased seafood consumption in general or a switch away from local product by either consumers or retailers.

This information will assist the NT seafood industry and NT Government (NTG) to assess the impacts of the current labeling laws.