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PROJECT

Fostering Mediterranean fish assuring traceability and authenticity

Egypt

One of the key components of Mediterranean diet is fish, which contributes to a healthy and balanced diet since it is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. In addition, fishery provides an important income and trade opportunities in many coastal Mediterranean countries. However, fish chain is particularly vulnerable to fraud, primarily to species substitution and mislabeling. Frauds mainly affect imported/local processed products since they cannot be clearly verified. International legislation stipulates that fish from wild as well as from farmed origin, must provide consumer information concerning the geographical origin, production method and nutritional labeling. For this purpose, the SUREFISH project proposes an integrated solution to ensure safety, traceability and authenticity all along the Mediterranean fishery supply chain (fishing, on-board processing, processing on land, retailers/importer). The main goal of SUREFISH is to valorise traditional Mediterranean fish by fostering the supply-chain innovation and consumer confidence on Mediterranean fish products through deploying innovative solutions to achieve unequivocal traceability and confirming their authenticity, thus preventing frauds. The SUREFISH project will implement and demonstrate a global solution to assure fish authentication and reduce fraud. The solution is based on RFID, Blockchain, TTI and tamper-proof technologies developed within the supply chain of four fish species. Thus, four pilot use cases are foreseen in: i) Tunisia (lighthouse pilot); ii) Egypt; iii) Lebanon; iv) Spain (followers) on different fish species: fresh and marinated anchovies; farmed fresh tilapia fillets; fresh groupers; bluefin Tuna. In addition, SUREFISH will harmonize and validate analytical methods to ensure fish authenticity with the aim of increasing consumer confidence of Mediterranean fish. In particular, consumers will be provided with a mobile APP  supplyinginformation on traceability and authenticity, linked to the Blockchain platform. The SUREFISH project will also get in touch with relevant infrastructures and pre-existing databases in order to optimize their use and assure interoperability. The activities performed within the project will span from the validation/demonstration in an operational environment (TRL5-6) to complete and qualified system in operational environment (TRL8). The SUREFISH project is expected to achieve the development of knowledge and common innovative solutions in the Mediterranean basin by following the intention of PRIMA SRIA. Among its thematic areas, the SRIA calls for sustainable Mediterranean agro-food value chain for regional and local development tackling issues related to inappropriate logistic infrastructure and lack of safety, quality and traceability standards. In line with this goal, SUREFISH addresses the need for a digital revolution based on cost-effective and affordable technologies and methods in the fishery sector, generating the necessary enabling knowledge and technologies to innovate the fish value chain from fishing to consumers.

Fostering Mediterranean fish assuring traceability and authenticity
Period
Jan 2020 - Jan 2023
Main Partner
  • Enco consulting, CLAR
Founders/donors
  • Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) (H2020)

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