By Chris Ninnes, CEO of Aquaculture Stewardship Council In this overview of the challenges faced by the seafood sector and what can be done to improve the social performance of seafood supply chains, Chris draws on 13 years of experience as the CEO of ASC and seven years as deputy CEO and Director of Operations of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). He has been Chair of the ISEAL board since 2018 and Chair of the Certification and Ratings Collaboration’s (CRC) Steering Committee since its inception in 2015. The Collaboration consists of ASC, Fair Trade USA, MSC, SeaFood Watch and Sustainabl ..read more

At ASC we find that among the wide range of human and labour rights issues that are included in our standards, one often stands out as more complex to implement and understand: working hours.   Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, the complexities of setting working hour standards in aquaculture pose unique challenges that require careful consideration.  Aquaculture work differs substantially from traditional office jobs with fixed hours. Like agriculture, it operates on the rhythm of production, dictated by factors like seasons and the life cycles of aquatic species ..read more

Have you heard the term ‘blue food’? This is a term used by the scientific community to refer to anything we eat that comes from the water, so it covers fish, seafood and seaweed. This includes both wild caught and farmed seafood. Blue foods currently provide essential nutrition to 3.3 billion people worldwide, and are a source of employment for around 10-12% of the global population.* But they have the potential to become even more important. In fact, the United Nations believes they have ‘an essential role to play in achieving food security, ending malnutrition and building healthy, nature ..read more

When you eat farmed seafood, do you worry about its exposure to antibiotics? It’s a concern we hear often at ASC, and one that can really impact people’s view of farmed fish. After all, we want to make the best choices for our family’s health and diet, and the food we choose to buy is a big part of that. To help you make an informed choice, it’s important to understand how and why seafood farmers use antibiotics. So in this blog we’re diving into antibiotic use in the seafood farming industry, the associated risks and how the ASC standards ensure responsible use of antibiotics and piece of mi ..read more

Did you know that over 58 million tonnes of food waste is created in the EU each year?* Incredibly, the vast majority of this is waste from individual households buying food that ends up in the bin.** This is a major problem for the planet, but it also means that small changes made by lots of individuals have the power to significantly reduce this number. So, where do we start? In this blog, we’re delving into what food waste means for the planet and what we can all do to play our part in reducing it. Food waste is a major global problem for two main reasons Firstly, producing food that will ..read more

Most of the salmon we eat in Europe is farmed, and about half of globally farmed salmon is produced in Norway. That’s why we can’t transform fish farming towards more sustainability without thinking about Norwegian salmon. A passion for nature To uncover the journey of Norwegian salmon from ocean to table we sat down with Silje Ramsvatn, the Sustainability Manager at Cermaq. Holding a PhD in marine biology and with extensive experience in the seafood industry, Silje offers an insightful perspective on sustainable aquaculture. Growing up with the ocean at her doorstep sparked Silje’s passion f ..read more

ASC’s commitment to human and labour rights Introduction Aquaculture plays a crucial role in meeting the world’s growing demand for seafood and, like any other industry, faces its own set of challenges. With the celebration of the 75th International Human Rights Day on 10th December, comes an opportunity to reflect on how the rights of those working in our own sector are being protected by the companies and organisations involved.   Ensuring the welfare of these workers and respecting their human rights requires combined and collective efforts from industry, governments, trade union ..read more

Is salmon a regular part of your family’s menu? Maybe a slice of beautiful smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and lemon for a lovely weekend breakfast, or a show-stopping salmon en croute for a dinner party? There are so many delicious salmon dishes to consider. But don’t be fooled into thinking we’re just considering your taste buds here – salmon packs a punch nutritionally too! In this blog we’ll be delving into the benefits of this popular fish and how the essential nutrients it provides can support your health.  Is salmon a regular part of your family’s menu? Maybe a slice of beauti ..read more

Trying to eat a protein-packed diet? Whether seafood or meat is the best choice will undoubtedly have crossed your mind. Should you be team fish, reeling in the benefits of marine protein, or should chicken or beef be your go-to? It can feel like a meal-planning minefield when you want to be sure you’re making healthy choices for yourself and your family.  In this blog we’re looking at the quantity of protein in different seafood and meat options so that next time you shop, you know which will give you the best bang for your bite. We’re going to focus solely on the nutritional side of th ..read more

This fun fact might come in handy at your next dinner party: seaweed farming is the world’s fastest growing aquaculture sector. That’s more than shrimp, salmon or any other seafood you may be about to eat. Seaweed plays a critical role in the health of our aquatic ecosystems, yet its multitude of benefits extend far beyond the ocean into our daily lives. Today, seaweed can be found in protein-packed snacks, nutritious supplements for people, pets and even fish, and as a tool for pioneering technology. It’s no wonder this superfood is winning the popularity contest. Here, we break down everyth ..read more