A new poll conducted by NGO Oceana reveals that 84% of citizens from Belgium, France, Spain, and Cyprus demand greater transparency on processed seafood, including canned and frozen items.

Among the EU's top seafood buyers, these consumers would welcome more information on species, origin, and fishing methods to make informed, sustainable choices.

Significantly, 87% of respondents emphasized the need to better identify species in processed products, while 82% wanted details on fishing gear used. A further 79% believe it is essential to know if their seafood is from overexploited stocks, with 81% calling for insight into environmental impacts, such as bycatch risks for dolphins and turtles.

Oceana urged EU fisheries commissioner-designate Costas Kadis to revise existing regulations, extending labeling to all seafood products and requiring sustainability information.

"Consumers have spoken," said Oceana's Vanya Vulperhorst. "Clear seafood labeling will empower sustainable choices and protect our oceans."

Last month, Oceana released a report analyzing more than 180 seafood products in different European supermarkets. The piece found that for almost 40% of the processed seafood products analyzed in Belgium, France, and Spain, the species, origin and fishing gear used were impossible to determine.