1. WHAT IS THE AQUACULTURE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (ASC)?
ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) is an international independent non-profit organization that administers the world’s leading certification and labeling program for responsible aquaculture. The ASC was established by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Netherlands Sustainable Trade Initiative.
ASC’s Mission:
- Recognize and promote responsible aquaculture through the ASC certification program and seafood trademarks
- Promoting the best environmental and social choices when buying seafood
- Contributing to the transformation of the seafood market towards sustainability
2. IMPORTANCE OF ASC STANDARDS
2.1 Global context
With scientific research showing that global fish and shrimp consumption will skyrocket in the coming decades, the aquaculture industry is expanding to meet this growing demand. Seafood is a source of nutritional protein and a key ingredient but has not been properly evaluated for global food security.
2.2 The need for social and environmental responsibility
With this expansion comes the need for aquaculture feed producers to maintain high standards of social responsibility, legal compliance, and environmental sustainability.
3. MAIN ASC STANDARDS
3.1 ASC Farm Standard
The ASC Farm Standard establishes responsible practices for global aquaculture. Impact-based sustainability requirements include animal welfare, farm management, human rights, and environmental stewardship for fish, farms, people, and the planet.
Main Requirements:
- To achieve ASC certification, farms must complete a rigorous performance assessment and meet more than 500 compliance points
- Compliance with the law (following the law, legal right to operate)
- Conservation of the natural environment and biodiversity
- Conserving water resources
- Conserving species diversity and wild populations
3.2 ASC Feed Standard
The ASC Feed Standard is driving progress towards sustainable aquaculture through a holistic approach to aquafeed, which requires responsible sourcing for all major feed ingredients.
Main features:
- The ASC Feed Standard adopts a holistic approach that includes both environmental and social responsibility within the feed plant and throughout the entire supply chain, covering all components >1% including
- The ASC Feed Certification Program ensures every food ingredient (>1% inclusive) is risk-assessed for impacts on people and our planet, and best practices in the food supply chain are recognized
- The standard requires feed factories to meet strict environmental and social requirements; sourcing ingredients from socially responsible suppliers; and use environmentally responsible raw materials
3.3 ASC Chain of Custody (CoC)
CoC certification covers fish from ‘farm to plate’ to ensure traceability and provides rules for the purchase, processing and sale of certified ASC products.
4. ASC CERTIFICATION PROCESS
4.1 Evaluation Process
The ASC was developed through dialogue with stakeholders and the certification process for the ASC Feed Standard includes a comprehensive audit of the feed plant’s operations, an assessment of compliance with the ASC’s stringent standards for environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
4.2 Continuous Monitoring
After achieving ASC certification, farms undergo regular audits to ensure they continue to meet stringent performance requirements.
5. BENEFITS OF ASC CERTIFICATION
5.1 For businesses
- Market access to ASC-certified seafood requirements
- Clear and reliable communication of responsible farming with customers and stakeholders
- Eligible for products with ASC eco-label
- Creating a competitive advantage for manufacturers
5.2 For Consumers
- When you see the ASC label on the packaging, you can be sure that your seafood is farmed with care
- By choosing seafood with the ASC label, you are making a proven positive impact on people and the planet
- Assure seafood buyers that products with the ASC label come from a responsible certification source
6. STATISTICS AND CURRENT STATUS
6.1 Certification Difficulty
The ASC is the most challenging and comprehensive certification available. This reflects the rigor and comprehensiveness of the standard.
6.2 Scope of application
ASC has expertise with all major farmed species including pangasius, tilapia, shrimp, salmon, striped salmon, abalone and bivalves.
ASC Feed Certification addresses these issues by providing a rigorous framework that mills can use to assure the market of compliance with their best practices while also enhancing due diligence throughout the entire supply chain.
The ASC standard represents a global commitment to sustainable aquaculture, ensuring that the industry can meet the growing demand for aquaculture while protecting the environment and ensuring social responsibility.
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Email: info.vietnam@iscglobal.asia – van.pham@iscglobal.asia – ducluongservices@gmail.com
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