Fraudulent Practices in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector: A Review of Detection Methods and Policy Approaches

Seafood fraud is a persistent challenge in global fisheries and aquaculture, with significant implications for food security, consumer trust, international trade, and biodiversity conservation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on fraudulent practices in the sector, with emphasis on detection methods and policy approaches. Literature was systematically collected from Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar covering the period 2000–2025. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that documented fraud typologies, evaluated detection technologies, or analyzed policy and governance frameworks. The findings reveal that fraud takes multiple forms, including species substitution, mislabeling of origin, adulteration, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. DNA barcoding and next-generation sequencing are widely applied for species authentication, while stable isotope analysis and spectroscopic methods support verification of geographic origin and adulteration. Digital innovations, such as blockchain traceability systems, represent emerging tools for supply chain transparency but face barriers to implementation. On the policy side, the European Union IUU Regulation and the United States Seafood Import Monitoring Program have advanced regulatory oversight, while eco-labeling and certification schemes (e.g., MSC, ASC) encourage industry compliance. Nevertheless, enforcement remains uneven across regions, particularly in developing countries with limited regulatory capacity. This review concludes that effective mitigation of fraud requires an integrated approach that combines technological advances, harmonized international traceability standards, and robust governance frameworks. Strengthening enforcement, building capacity in resource-limited regions, and raising consumer awareness are essential steps toward ensuring the integrity and sustainability of global seafood supply chains.