The ASC certification programme for responsible aquaculture has made tremendous progress this year. Last month we saw the Global Salmon Initiative, a consortium of companies representing 70 per cent of the World’s farmed salmon production, commit to the ASC Salmon Standard. The project to develop the Feed Standard is also picking up pace with its initial steering board meeting planned for the end of October.
After the successful market launch of tilapia products in 2012 and pangasius earlier this year, the industry is now eagerly awaiting certified products for salmon, bivalves (clams, mussels, oysters, scallops), abalone, freshwater trout and shrimp. Products are expected to gradually enter the market starting early 2014.
Final standards make progress
The final two standards, shrimp and seriola/cobia, are making good progress. The Shrimp Audit Manual is currently being finalised and will be forwarded to the Technical Working Group (TAG) for approval in the coming month. The Audit Manual is a document that guides farms how to show compliance and certifiers how to assess those farms against the relevant ASC Standard. The Shrimp Standard and draft Audit Manual are expected to be handed over to the ASC in October/November 2013.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Aquaculture Stewardship Council
