Ecolabels and Sustainability in the Seafood Sector: Key Elements of the Debate and Shortcomings

Abstract

The seafood sector plays a key role in global nutrition but is confronted with significant sustainability challenges including overfishing, marine debris, and the impacts of climate change. In response, several measures have been implemented, such as the introduction of fishing quotas, restrictions on fishing zones, expansion of aquaculture, increased monitoring, and promotion of sustainable consumption. In this context, ecolabels are recognized as tools to encourage sustainable consumption by influencing consumer behavior. However, their effectiveness is hindered by limited consumer awareness, regulatory inconsistencies, and incomplete integration of environmental and social impacts into their criteria. In this Perspective, we explore how these key challenges are incorporated into ecolabel standards and evaluate their potential to influence consumer behavior toward sustainable choices Through a review and insights from a life cycle perspective, we identify critical gaps in current ecolabeling schemes, such as a lack of representativeness, incomplete evaluation, and unclear or nonintuitive communication to consumers, and outline a potential roadmap for their improvement. Addressing these gaps is essential for fostering trust and advancing sustainability in the seafood sector.