The ASC Sustainability Label
When you see the ASC sustainability label on a seafood product, it means the seafood has been farmed according to the criteria of the robust ASC environmental and social standard.
When you choose ASC-labelled seafood, you are choosing farmed seafood that is:
Conserving biodiversity
ASC-certified farms and feed mills are required to protect habitats, reduce risks to wildlife, prevent fish escapes, and carry out thorough checks on feed ingredients.
Addressing climate change
ASC-certified farms and feed mills are required to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions, use resources efficiently, and protect sensitive habitats where relevant.
Fostering fish health and welfare
ASC-certified farms are required to prevent disease, use medicines responsibly, and feed fish carefully to support their welfare.
Improving lives, livelihoods and communities
ASC-certified farms and feed mills are required to treat workers fairly, provide safe working conditions, and build positive relationships with local communities.
The Power of Seafood
3.3bn* people rely on seafood for at least 20% of animal protein consumption 400 – 600 million people are involved with the seafood sector, directly and indirectly.*
* Data ref: UN Fisheries Panel (COFI36): Aquaculture as a solution to food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty
Seafood farming:
- Produces almost 60% of the seafood consumed globally
- Provides direct employment for over 22 million people
- Delivers socio-economic benefits to tens of thousands of communities.
The Importance of ASC Feed and Farm Certification
With the population estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050, and with wild-caught fisheries at capacity, the importance of seafood farming will continue to grow. However, care must be taken to limit the industry’s negative impacts.
As an impact-driven organisation, ASC focuses on accelerating the transformation of the seafood farming industry towards sustainability through our world-leading farmed seafood certification programmes, setting the standard for seafood.
ASC-certified seafood farms are backed by robust standards and a transparent assurance framework. By addressing critical risks head-on, they drive measurable change globally by:
- Caring for people and planet by easing pressure on natural resources
- Protecting precious ecosystems
- Promoting economic opportunities
- Addressing food security challenges and fulfils a crucial link in the circular economy.
Collaborating for impact
Every ASC-certified farm and ASC-labelled product purchased has a positive impact on the transformation of seafood farming.
making positive changes to fish, farm, people and planet
on shelves in supermarkets around the world
with ASC-labelled products available to seafood lovers
driving positive change across the aquafeed industry
Explore how the ASC certification programme supports seafood lovers, producers, and other supply chain partners:
Seafood lovers
The ASC sustainability label gives seafood lovers confidence that their seafood comes from ASC-certified farms.
Producer hub
Producers choose the ASC programme for greater access to global market demand. Learn more about our ASC standards and find out how to apply for certification.
Business hub
Businesses choose the ASC programme for ASC’s highly-recognised and trusted label. Explore Chain of Custody certification and see our services for partners.
People behind your seafood
Meet the seafood farmers proudly demonstrating their commitment to our environmental and social standards.
Salmon
A salmon farm is helping to revive a remote community in Scotland: meet Rosie, a salmon farmer.
Shrimp
Nuturing nature and local people: the story of a shrimp farmer in Ecuador.
Seabream
ASC certification has opened the doors to a Michelin-starred restaurant for a Croatian seabass and seabream farm.
Congratulations to Change Champion Lubimar: the first farm certified against the ASC Farm Standard
“The certification process was demanding, but it has strengthened our farm and our team. We are extremely proud to be the first to achieve this certification and to help set a benchmark for the sector.”
Gontran de Ceballos, Sales Manager at Lubimar