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Gene-associated markers provide tools for tackling illegal fishing and false eco-certification

Author

Listed:
  • Einar E. Nielsen

    (Section for Population Ecology and Genetics, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.)

  • Alessia Cariani

    (University of Bologna
    Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Eoin Mac Aoidh

    (Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC) Joint Research Centre (JRC) European Commission (EC) JRC.G.4 – Maritime Affairs, Via Enrico Fermi 2749 (TP 051), I-21027 Ispra (Va), Italy.)

  • Gregory E. Maes

    (Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Ilaria Milano

    (University of Bologna
    Comparative Pathology, and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova)

  • Rob Ogden

    (TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland)

  • Martin Taylor

    (Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University)

  • Jakob Hemmer-Hansen

    (Section for Population Ecology and Genetics, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.)

  • Massimiliano Babbucci

    (Comparative Pathology, and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova)

  • Luca Bargelloni

    (Comparative Pathology, and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova)

  • Dorte Bekkevold

    (Section for Population Ecology and Genetics, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.)

  • Eveline Diopere

    (Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Leonie Grenfell

    (TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland)

  • Sarah Helyar

    (Matís, Icelandic Food and Biotech R&D, Vínlandslei∂´ 12, 113 Reykjavík, Iceland.)

  • Morten T. Limborg

    (Section for Population Ecology and Genetics, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.)

  • Jann T. Martinsohn

    (Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC) Joint Research Centre (JRC) European Commission (EC) JRC.G.4 – Maritime Affairs, Via Enrico Fermi 2749 (TP 051), I-21027 Ispra (Va), Italy.)

  • Ross McEwing

    (TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland)

  • Frank Panitz

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark.)

  • Tomaso Patarnello

    (Comparative Pathology, and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova)

  • Fausto Tinti

    (University of Bologna)

  • Jeroen K. J. Van Houdt

    (Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Filip A. M. Volckaert

    (Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Robin S. Waples

    (Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Gary R. Carvalho

    (Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University)

Abstract

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing has had a major role in the overexploitation of global fish populations. In response, international regulations have been imposed and many fisheries have been 'eco-certified' by consumer organizations, but methods for independent control of catch certificates and eco-labels are urgently needed. Here we show that, by using gene-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms, individual marine fish can be assigned back to population of origin with unprecedented high levels of precision. By applying high differentiation single nucleotide polymorphism assays, in four commercial marine fish, on a pan-European scale, we find 93–100% of individuals could be correctly assigned to origin in policy-driven case studies. We show how case-targeted single nucleotide polymorphism assays can be created and forensically validated, using a centrally maintained and publicly available database. Our results demonstrate how application of gene-associated markers will likely revolutionize origin assignment and become highly valuable tools for fighting illegal fishing and mislabelling worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Einar E. Nielsen & Alessia Cariani & Eoin Mac Aoidh & Gregory E. Maes & Ilaria Milano & Rob Ogden & Martin Taylor & Jakob Hemmer-Hansen & Massimiliano Babbucci & Luca Bargelloni & Dorte Bekkevold & Ev, 2012. "Gene-associated markers provide tools for tackling illegal fishing and false eco-certification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1845
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1845
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