A study by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), released Tuesday, found that international fisheries and aquaculture eco-labelling codes of conduct and guidelines cannot be used as seafood certification standards. 

The study finds the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Management is not and was never intended to be used as a seafood certification standard.

The FAO Code is designed to assist governments in creating fisheries management policy, as well as institutional and substantive guidelines that provide a framework for the proper structure and operation of seafood ecolabelling and certification systems.