China is one of the countries given a “yellow card” by the EU for its fishing practices

CHEN JIMIN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE/GETTY IMAGES

The UK is importing more than a quarter of its seafood from countries known for illegal fishing, meaning consumers are at risk of buying products linked to human rights and environmental abuses.

Britain imports 81 per cent of its seafood, and an analysis of industry and government data has revealed that 26 per cent of the 789,210 tonnes brought in last year came from countries with a track record of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

The vessels engaged in IUU fishing are part of a massive shadow industry that breaks conservation laws and lies about catches. The government has previously said IUU fishing is linked to serious organised crime, labour abuses and modern-day slavery. Globally, the illicit trade is estimated to be worth up to £20 billion a year.

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), a campaign group, has accused the government of failing to impose adequate checks to stop illegally-caught fish reaching plates in Britain.

The main line of defence is meant to be catch certificates, documents containing data to show fish had been legally caught. They were introduced about 15 years ago. The UK’s competent authorities, the Port Health Authorities and the Marine Management Organisation, are responsible for conducting checks and verifications of the certificates.