SYgle>Industry Information>Stakeholders call for Hong Kong seafood import regulation overhaul amid traceability concerns

Stakeholders call for Hong Kong seafood import regulation overhaul amid traceability concerns

Column: industry Tag: Hong Kong seafood import regulation Published: 2025-03-11 13:07 Source: www.mashed.com Author: Insha Naureen

(Image credit: Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images).

Civil society organizations in Hong Kong, China, are calling on the government to “urgently” address critical gaps in the city’s seafood import regulations, which they insist are posing risks to public health, marine ecosystems, and consumer trust.

Hong Kong is one of the top seafood importers by value and volume, with average volumes of seafood imports to the city (both live and dead) amounting to over 350,000 metric tons per annum, according to the Hong Kong-based Asian investment management firm ADM Capital Foundation.

In an official letter to the authorities, the consortium has urged the government to review existing legislation and policy developments related to seafood trade.

“Our call for action responds to the findings of research released over decades by different academics and NGOs, that continue to point to the same systemic issues which remain unresolved today,” says Sophie le Clue, CEO of ADM Capital Foundation.

Need for government intervention

Seafood importer 178 Degrees’ founder, Benjamin So, calls for a “level playing field” in the industry with government intervention and support.

“To remain competitive, Hong Kong must align with international standards and best practices by strengthening import controls. While certain leading businesses in the industry have been promoting sustainable seafood for years, and expending resources to ensure their seafood is sourced responsibly and sustainably, the issue is ignored by many in the sector.”

Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC)’s secretariat, Mandy Wong, echoes the need for government support.

“The HKSSC was established by industry leaders to advance sustainable seafood practices in Hong Kong and Macau. Our corporate members are deeply committed to responsible sourcing and are dedicated to mainstreaming sustainable seafood.”

“However, without government policies and legislation to address unethical practices and encourage responsible procurement, there are limits to what we can achieve.”

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