One Fish, Two Names — and an Australian Standard That Should Matter
When Victoria stocks Chinook Salmon and New Zealand sell Australians King Salmon, are consumers entitled to ask why the same species changes its name at the border?
It begins with the VFA stocking 4,000 Chinook Salmon into Lake Purrumbete, then makes the very careful argument we agreed:
New Zealand is perfectly entitled to call the species King Salmon under its naming arrangements. But when the product is marketed in Australia, Australia has a Standard Fish Name — Chinook Salmon. If producers believe King Salmon should also be accepted here, use the established Fish Names Committee process and apply to change the Standard.
And our key conclusion was:
Stick with Chinook Salmon—or apply through the established Australian process to change the name.
That isn't anti-New Zealand.
It isn't anti-aquaculture.
And it certainly isn't anti-salmon.
It's pro-consumer, pro-consistency and pro-integrity.
We also incorporated the latest Fish Names Committee evidence showing that the naming system is active: applications can be made, consultation occurs, and names can be changed. The Committee's latest update says the protocols exist to minimise confusion and maintain the integrity of AS 5300 over time. Gmail - Australian Fish Names S…
So our position is not “King Salmon is a false name.” That would be wrong and unnecessarily confrontational. The argument is about respecting the Australian Standard and using the proper process if industry wants it changed.
FRDC reported in their recent email that Meeting #49 was held in-person at the new Sydney Fish Market (SFM) on 28 July 2026. Besides attending to significant business, the Committee was extremely grateful to receive an informative lunchtime presentation on the SFM from Head of Operations and FNC immediate past Chair, Gus Dannoun. The next meeting will be the milestone 50th meeting and will be held in Perth, WA, on 23 February 2027. For processing at that meeting, applications to amend the Standard should be sent to FRDCStandards@frdc.com.au by 27 January 2027.
We encourage anyone/any organisation to make an application and ensure any issue they have regarding fish names is clarified.
The Seafood Consumers Association supports consistent use of the Australian Fish Names Standard across seafood sold in Australia. Where an industry believes another name better serves consumers, it should use the established Fish Names Committee process to seek an amendment to AS 5300 rather than creating parallel naming conventions in the marketplace.
Comments
No comments yet.