Catch to landing traceability and the effects of implementation – A case study from the Norwegian white fish sector

White fish is an important part of the diet of European consumers. The sources of such white fish range from wild caught to aquaculture. In order to provide consumers with better product information about the fish they purchase, information must be recorded in a retrievable fashion along the supply chain. In this study, current traceability practice on board a freezer trawler was modelled, areas for improvement were identified and the attitudes of employees towards the traceability system on board the trawler were investigated. The trawler was shown to have traceability information registered at a haul level. All information was stored electronically, the majority of changes in state of the fish (transformations) were of the transfer type. Traceability implementation was a positive experience for the employees. The information registered by the trawler needs to be used further down the supply chain.

► Current traceability practice on board a freezer trawler was modeled.
► CodTrawl registered traceability information related to each haul.
► Motivations for traceability were market access and better control of production.
► Traceability implementation was seen to be positive what by the employees.