Dodgy seafood retailers selling Nile perch as barramundi have triggered calls interstate for Territory-style labelling laws.
Labelling laws in vast parts of the country already govern seafood caught in Australian waters and sold in shops.
But imported seafood and produce sold in restaurants doesn't fall under the same scrutiny.
Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive Winston Harris said it was time for government to legislate for all seafood to be labelled – so consumers get exactly what they paid for.
"It can be difficult to tell what is what, especially for the average punter," Mr Harris said.
"Substitutions have been around for a long time, and the bottom line is customers deserve to get what they pay for and to be able to make a choice.
"If something is caught in a South-East Asian estuary, then it isn't subject to safe health and safety legislation and environmental regulation that produce from our water (is)."
The Territory has implemented labelling laws on all seafood, including that sold for immediate consumption.
Mr Harris said legislation like that in the NT would make for happier customers and would be beneficial for the seafood industry.
"Those who were opposed said it would hurt our bottom line but the opposite has occurred in the Northern Territory because people are getting what they pay for and in turn there is 100 per cent customer satisfaction," he said.
Woolworths spokesman Benedict Brook said the retailer was aware of the issues with the substitution of fish for other species.
"To ensure our customers can have confidence in their purchases, we have conducted random DNA testing of fish in store to ensure the fish are of the species described, as well as clear product specifications are given to our suppliers and that is the information which goes on our labelling in store," he said.
Source: ABC Rural
