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Why ASC?

We set the standard for seafood. If you see the ASC label on pack, you can be sure that your seafood was farmed with care.

our impact

By choosing ASC labelled seafood, you are making a proven, positive impact on people and the planet.

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Which seafood will you choose for dinner? We've got some suggestions.

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Certification

Join the most recognised certification programme as proof of your responsible farming practices to a global audience.

Our impact

ASC creates measurable positive change in global seafood farming.

Find out more

The ASC programme is successful because of all producers and partners involved. Read our reports and stories.

Certification

Join the most recognised certification programme and benefit from trading ASC certified seafood.

Our impact

ASC creates measurable, positive change in global seafood farming.

After certification

In addition to accessing our global network of secure and flexible supply, ASC partners benefit from marketing their ASC certified seafood.

Funding and Finances

The work of ASC programs continued to advance toward our Mission in 2021, supported through the resources and financial support achieved by ASC. 

As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, ASC receives funding from two main sources – Licensing fees for voluntarily use of the ASC logo and Charitable Grants. In 2021 ASC continued to experience robust growth in income from logo licensing. Here we provide our financial transparency of our operations from 2019 through 2021.

Income from ASC logo licensing 

The majority of ASC’s income is generated by the voluntary use of our logo from companies in the supply chain certified against the Chain of Custody Standard, who have signed a Logo License Agreement. This forms the basis to use the ASC logo in corporate communication as well as on product (for more information on the exact fee structure see the ASC logo user guide). They can then demonstrate to their customers that their seafood comes from a responsible source.

To ensure independence, the ASC is not involved in the arranging of farm certification audits and does not receive income from the assessment of fish farms and supply chains partners. These services are conducted by independent, accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs), ensuring there is no link between ASC’s income and the audit results. Transparency and independence are essential to the ASC’s certification process, to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure the only route to achieving certification is by meeting ASC’s requirements.

Charitable grants  

ASC continuously looks for new ways of improving our programme, by increasing accessibility to certification for more farmers, creating efficiencies in the certification processes, and driving up standards. For financing these activities, ASC seeks grants from various sources, such as foundations. Examples include charitable grants like: 

  • The Walton Family Foundation is funding a collaborative project of ASC and Fairtrade USA to deliver lower cost certification with highest social and environmental standards for farmers in Indonesia (find out more about the collaboration here). 
  • Equally, the ASC has been heavily involved in the EU Horizon TAPAS (tools for assessment & planning of aquaculture sustainability) Project, aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable aquaculture in Europe (find out more about the collaboration here). 

Overview of grants to ASC in 2019, 2020, and 2021:

 How we spend our income 

Income generated by the ASC is spent on achieving its vision and mission, and is overseen by the ASC’s supervisory board which consists of independent members, as well as industry and NGO representatives.  

The majority of expenditure goes into the day-to-day organisational costs, especially into salaries of ASC staff members, working on raising demand for ASC labelled products, developing and managing standards and assuring the consistent application of the standards in practice. Additional costs for technical improvements to the programme are reflected in “Technical Services”; and fundamental aspects for the smooth operation of ASC – like IT, fundraising, HR and finance – are shown in “Central Services”.  

Part of the income is spent on “Supply Chain Assurance Services, covering both the costs around the MSC Chain of Custody standard that ASC shares with MSC but also the administration of the ASC logo license. 

Additionally, income is spent on raising awareness of the ASC programme in the various markets, through education, communication and marketing, and supporting partners in the industry committed to responsible seafood production. These activities (here under Markets & Marketing Services) are key to ASC’s future success.

Summary of ASC Income and Expenditure 2019

 Summary of ASC Income and Expenditure 2020

Summary of ASC Income and Expenditure 2021

Non-profit status of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council 

The ASC is a charitable organisation registered in the UK and Netherlands: 

  • United Kingdom: Charity number 1150418 – Company number: 08172832 
  • Netherlands: geregistreerdeAlgemeen Nut Bevorderende Instelling(ANBI) – NL Chamber of commerce number: 34389683 

Our latest audited Group Consolidated Financial Statements are available upon request to info@asc-aqua.org 

Confidental Infomation