New report urges digitalisation at fish first sale stage, citing efficiency, traceability, transparency, and risks of fragmented systems
A new report has called for urgent digitalisation of the first sale stage of fish in order to modernise seafood supply chains, improve traceability, and strengthen regulatory compliance.
The document, Digitalisation at First Sale Stage, argues that the current paper-heavy system used across much of Europe is outdated, inefficient, and increasingly incompatible with the needs of a globalised seafood market. The report sets out a roadmap for moving to fully digital systems that would streamline operations for fishermen, buyers, regulators, and consumers alike.
Weaknesses in Current Systems
According to the report, the existing system of paper-based sales notes and manual reporting creates unnecessary duplication and scope for error. It slows down transactions, complicates regulatory oversight, and undermines market transparency. Auction houses and buyers often rely on parallel record-keeping systems that do not easily integrate with one another, while regulators face delays in accessing accurate catch and sales information.
The report states: “The fish and seafood industry stands to gain significantly from increased digitalisation, not only through efficiency but also through improved transparency and traceability.”
Benefits of Digitalisation
The study highlights the potential benefits of digitalisation, including real-time access to catch data, faster transactions, and improved traceability from sea to plate. These benefits, it argues, are essential in the context of stricter sustainability rules and heightened consumer scrutiny of seafood supply chains.
As the report warns: “Traceability and real-time data exchange are no longer optional extras but essential tools for securing market access and consumer trust.”
Digital first sale systems would allow for automated checks against quotas, immediate registration of landings, and easier sharing of data between fishermen, buyers, and authorities. This would reduce the administrative burden on the fishing industry while simultaneously giving regulators the tools to detect irregularities earlier.
Calls for Coordinated Action
The report stresses that digitalisation must be approached in a coordinated way across Member States to avoid fragmentation. It recommends investment in shared platforms and standards, alongside training and technical support to ensure fishermen and smaller businesses are not left behind.
“Stakeholders consistently raised concerns about fragmented systems and the lack of harmonisation across Member States, which risks undermining progress,” the report noted.
It further cautions: “It is not enough to mandate digital tools; there must be investment in training, infrastructure, and technical support for the fishing industry to adapt.”
Industry and Policy Implications
The call for digitalisation comes at a time of growing political and commercial pressure on the seafood industry to demonstrate sustainability and compliance. The report suggests that digital first sale systems would make it easier to track fish from landing to market, ensuring that illegally caught or misreported fish cannot enter the supply chain.
It also notes that new EU rules on traceability and consumer information make digitalisation increasingly unavoidable. “The industry is at a tipping point, where the absence of coordinated action could mean falling behind other food sectors in digital adoption,” the report stated.
Next Steps
The report concludes by urging governments, regulators, and industry representatives to work together to accelerate digitalisation. It warns that failure to act quickly could leave the industry struggling to meet regulatory requirements, while other global competitors advance with modernised, transparent systems.
