Although aquaculture can be the solution to overfishing, the industry still faces several challenges to ensure sustainable seafood production. From by-product environmental pollution to non-native fish species escapes, resources are available to help address these issues—such as certification from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

Learn more about the ASC certification, its benefits, and why it’s critical for fish and aquaculture farms to invest in their assessment.

What is the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)?

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that sets industry standards for fisheries, aqua farms, and seafood suppliers to ensure responsible farming and production. They provide third-party certification and labeling programs for global seafood businesses. 

The ASC is recognized worldwide for its credible and sustainable framework by working with other NGOs, academics, farmers, retailers, and aquaculture experts to help resolve market challenges and consumer demands.

What is ASC Certification?

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council offers two types of certifications:

ASC Global Improver Programme

The ASC Global Improver Programme is a certification for seafood producers, such as aqua farms and fish feed mills. 

There are two versions of the ASC Global Improver Programme:

• Aligned Farm Standard: Individual seafood production criteria for 14 aquatic species groups. 
• Feed Standard: Specific criteria for aquaculture fish feed production and ingredient sourcing. 

Additionally, there are four certification types within these programs:

• Single-Site Certification: A single-site farm that produces a species available within the Aligned Farm Standard and in operation no less than 18 months or one harvest cycle–whichever is less. 
• Multi-Site Certification with an Internal Management System: A multi-site farm owned or subcontracted by the applying client with a fully functional internal management system, designated central office, and in operation no less than 18 months or one harvest cycle–whichever is less. 
• Multi-Site Certification without an Internal Management System: A multi-site farm owned or subcontracted by the applying client without a fully functional internal management system, has a designated central office, and is in operation no less than 18 months or one harvest cycle–whichever is less. 
• Group Certification: Small to medium-sized farms that allow them to join as a group to implement ASC Global Improver Programme requirements.

Each ASC Global Improver Programme version is applied via a third-party certification system by independent Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). Auditors will visit farms and feed mills onsite to assess if they’re eligible and comply with ASC certification requirements.

Chain of Custody Certification (CoC)

The Chain of Custody Certification is an ASC certification for seafood suppliers, such as processors, traders, and supply companies. 

There are three versions of the CoC Standard:

• Default: For single or multi-site organizations trading certified seafood. These include traders operating from one office or processors with multiple factory locations.
• Group: For organizations with a central office or multiple locations that distribute, process, or trade certified seafood. These include cooperatives, franchises, and vertically integrated companies. 
• Consumer-Facing: For consumer-facing organizations that sell Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or ASC-certified seafood directly to final customers. 

While the ASC certification requirements for each CoC Standard version differ in criteria, they all share the same five principles:

1. Principle 1: Companies must purchase ASC-certified products from a certified supplier.
2. Principle 2: The ASC-certified products are clearly identifiable. 
3. Principle 3: The ASC-certified products are separated from non-certified. 
4. Principle 4: The ASC-certified products are traceable, and volumes are recorded.
5. Principle 5: The management system meets the ASC certification requirements for the CoC Standard.

Regardless of the CoC Certification type, the process involves a combined audit from the ASC and MSC for seafood supply chains from the farm to the product carrying the ASC label.

Understanding How ASC Certification Benefits the Commercial Seafood Industry & Why It’s Necessary

With an understanding of how ASC certification works, learn how it benefits the seafood industry and why it’s crucial for businesses, public health, and our environment.

Food Safety Compliance for Consumer Seafood Products

According to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, the seafood production industry has issues with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, which has been a major public health challenge. ASC standards ban fish farms from inappropriately using antibiotics in an attempt to encourage species growth and prevent disease–making bacteria more likely to develop resistance. 

Additional food safety malpractices are improperly listed DNA specifications and mislabelling in final consumer seafood products. 

ASC certification ensures all seafood products are properly identified and traceable via DNA testing and supply chain reconciliation processes. They’ll even work with farms and their key stakeholders for training to create operational structures for easier onboarding with a fish health plan to follow based on the species cultivated.

That way, fish and aqua farms become less reliable in antibiotic use while remaining compliant with standard food safety practices. 

Responsible & Sustainable Seafood Production

The ASC will conduct onsite audits of fish and aqua farms to ensure they’re farming ethically long-term. They’ll evaluate the cultivated species per individual criteria, operational system, fish feeds, and supply chain partners via risk assessment scorecards. 

From there, they’ll provide a report on their findings, with a decision from a qualified auditor if your company complies with ASC standards. 

Receiving this valuable information about your production processes minimizes the negative environmental and social impacts of unsustainable seafood farming, including:

• Discharged by-products of uneaten fish feed, waste, and water chemical treatments into surrounding water bodies due to improper waste management, causing ecological damage
• Escapes of non-native fish species, disrupting native gene pools from high-risk aquaculture systems, such as open net pen systems and nearshore aquaculture farms 
• Harmful fish feeds with heavy metal contaminants and high-protein ingredients, causing unhealthy water quality, compromised animal welfare, and ocean acidification

Reduced Environmental & Public Health Impacts

As mentioned, ASC certification improves public health with responsible seafood farming by prohibiting antibiotics and product mislabelling. It also reduces negative environmental impacts by addressing sustainable production challenges with all involved parties. Fish farms, aquaculture facilities, suppliers, and key stakeholders are all included in ASC standards.

Expanded Market Access to ASC Seafood

Fish and aqua farms gain access to ASC’s exclusive market, with certified labels allowing them to reach more customers. Consumers today prioritize health and sustainability when making seafood product purchases, with 75% trusting the ASC label across 12 international markets. 

This increased global awareness demonstrates how the seafood industry can boost sales opportunities in ASC’s market while meeting rising consumer demands for responsible end-to-end farming.

Secure a Healthier Future: Support Sustainable Seafood Production with SIAA

While current seafood industry challenges may seem daunting, there are ways we can secure a healthier future together. 

At SIAA, our partners include the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and other international industry leaders to educate policymakers and the public on environmentally aligned seafood production practices to address current risks and issues. 

With your support, it helps us lobby for stronger legislation while supporting commercial fishing for ethically oriented economic and sustainable environmental growth. 

Learn more about our causes, make a one-time donation, or become a SIAA member today.