The primary authority for establishing standard seafood names in Australia is the Fish Names Committee (FNC), which develops and maintains the Australian Fish Names Standard (AS SSA 5300). 

This standard ensures that over 4,000 species of fish and shellfish have a consistent, approved name used in trade, retail, and hospitality.  

 

Fish Names Committee (FNC): 

Appointed by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), this committee includes experts from the seafood industry, government, and science to determine official names.

 

Australian Fish Names Standard (AS SSA 5300): 

Developed in consultation with stakeholders, this is the official reference for identifying fish species in Australia.

 

Administers the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016, which requires most seafood to be labelled with its origin.

 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ): 

Sets the food safety and labelling standards in the Food Standards Code.

 

State/Territory Food Authorities: 

Enforce the Food Standards Code, such as the NSW Food Authority, which monitors for "seafood substitution" (using wrong names).