Click here to view this email in your browser. |
|
|
Australian Fish Names Standard Update 1/2026 |
|
|
Additions and amendments to the Standard |
The Fish Names Committee (FNC) is continuing to process a significant backlog of Australian fishes that require a Standard Name. The scope of the Standard is the entire Australian ichthyofauna plus commercially important invertebrates. The next batch of about 120 new names will be circulated for public comment by mid-April. This includes interesting names such as Pinocchio Catshark, Swarthy Whiptail and Balloon Alfonsino.
One recently advertised name was rejected by the FNC based on feedback received during the last round of Public Consultation. “Goldband Grunter” had been proposed for Hannia wintoni but a strong case was presented to apply the name “Winton’s Grunter”, which has been previously used in the literature. The name “Winton’s Grunter” will be included in the next batch of names for public comment. |
|
|
Scientific name changes and other amendments |
Various recent scientific name changes (see full list here) and other amendments were made to the Standard, such as deletions (for species now known to not occur in Australian waters), CAAB code changes and authority connections that are in the process of being updated on the Standard. Most of these do not involve commercial species but the following two are of note, particularly regarding labelling and packaging: - Australian Herring – scientific name changed from Arripis georgianus to Arripis georgiana
- Blacklip Rock Oyster – scientific name changed from Saccostrea echinata to Saccostrea spathulata.
The Fish Names Committee has no jurisdiction over scientific nomenclature but updates the Standard with relevant information from recent publications. For more information on such changes, please contact the Project Manager on FRDCStandards@frdc.com.au. |
|
|
Work to strengthen the Standard’s complaints and appeals process has concluded, with the new arrangements being embedded into official documentation. Once done, the appeals will be processed against the FNC’s decision to change the name of the imported species Percophis brasiliensis from South American Flathead to South American Duckbill. |
Ten new Fact Files are being prepared by the FNC to document the background to some of Australia’s fish names. These include Flake, Snapper and Barramundi. Current Fact Files are available here. If you have suggestions on species names to profile in a Fact File, please send them to FRDCStandards@frdc.com.au.
|
New edition of the Standard |
A new edition of the Standard, including the latest list of Standard Names, has progressed through public consultation and is being prepared for publication. Scientific name and other changes (see full list here) will be included in the new edition, which is expected before mid-year.
The last published version was completed in 2019 and is available here. |
Country of Origin Labelling |
Australia’s new Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) laws regarding seafood labelling in hospitality settings must be followed from July 1st, 2026. These require businesses to label seafood as A (Australian), I (Imported) or M (Mixed, i.e. Australian and Imported). While beyond the scope of the Fish Names Standard, place names are included in some Standard Names – as part of the name rather than indicating provenance. Further information on CoOL is available here.
|
|
|
Fish Names Committee News |
Fish Names Committee Meeting #48 was held online on February 5th, 2026. The next meeting (#49) will be held at the Sydney Fish Market on July 28th, 2026. This leads into the Seafood Directions conference, which begins in Sydney that same evening. Applications to amend the Standard should be forwarded to the Project Manager, Gus Yearsley, on fnc@frdc.com.au by July 1st, 2026. Details on how to apply are available here. Applications received by July 1st will be considered at Meeting #49.
The Fish Names Committee members are listed here. The Committee welcomes Jennifer Larkin (Australian Fisheries Managers Forum representative) and Jack Hill (seafood importers representative) to the Committee. Sincere thanks to Jessica McInerney who, after two separate stints representing Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), has changed employment and is no longer available to represent SIA. Jess has been a passionate contributor and an efficient Deputy Chair, and will be greatly missed.
|
Australian Aquatic Plant Names Standard |
The second edition of Australia’s Aquatic Plant Names Standard (AS 5301) was published last year and is available here. This Standard continues to expand whilst maintaining consistent names for the growing seaweed and aquatic plant industry. |
|
|
Keep updated on the Australian Fish Names Standard (AS 5300)
If you didn’t receive this email directly and want to be added to our email list, please register here. |
|
| |
