You might have noticed that you see less and less tuna on supermarket fish counters as stocks decline perilously low.
The WWF is engaged in a global initiative to use blockchain to track where fish have been caught and promote sustainable fishing.
And you as consumers will be able to scan the fish to know where the fish was caught, right down to the boat.
“If you have the opportunity as a consumer to know with confidence that you’re buying from a fishery that engages in sustainable and ethical practices, then of course you would want to do that,” says Bubba Cook, WWF Pacific.
“We have seen heavy depletion in certain stocks, like for instance the Pacific bluefin tuna which is at less than three per cent of its historic biomass. That should be a shocking figure for anyone that the historic stock has been depleted to the point where the tank is almost empty,” says Cook.
Now technology is being employed to prevent illegal fishing with the goal of enabling global fish stocks to recover.
If blockchain were to be fully implemented, it would be impossible for any illegal or unreported tuna to enter the market, says Cook.
“Because it’s tamper-proof, blockchain creates an opportunity for verification and validation. It allows retailers and buyers to understand where [fish] is coming from.
“In time, we’re going to see blockchain become the industry standard for transparency and traceability.
“It’s really exciting to think about the potential for that technology and what it could mean in terms of helping consumers make the right choices and drive things in a sustainable and ethical direction.”