ASC’s 10th Anniversary Book

In 2020 we were 10 years old, and as we couldn’t get together with our partners, ASC certified companies, and everyone who supports us, we decided to celebrate by writing a book!

This is a beautiful, illustrated coffee table book, full of interviews, anecdotes, delicious recipes and stunning pictures. It looks back at the people involved, highlights the species that have benefitted from certification, and features some of the aquaculture companies who have thrived from joining the ASC-certified family.

This is a book to dip into for reference or enjoyment, to learn more about ASC and its history, or to find a new recipe for dinner!

We wanted to highlight the journey we have taken from a fledgling idea and a standing start, to becoming the world’s foremost responsible aquaculture standards organisation.

From a need identified by WWF to bring about beneficial change in aquaculture by identifying, measuring and addressing the key impacts of production practices, through multi-stakeholder roundtable meetings that became the Aquaculture Dialogues, to developing standards, finding a home for them with ASC and making them operational – all while struggling for funds, our initial journey was long, and at times, tortuous. But as this book highlights, it was well worth it.

“It was challenging, fun, and different; we needed to be resourceful, ask for lots of help, and make contacts to get things done. It was real teamwork,” said Margreet van Harn, ASC’s first marketing director.

“Having been part of establishing an independent Aquaculture Stewardship Council and remaining on the board today, is something that I’ll take to my grave with pride,” said José Villalon, VP of WWF US, who managed the Aquaculture Dialogues, and was the first chair of the ASC supervisory board.

Those first years were hectic, and while we have matured as an organisation we certainly haven’t learned to slow down or stand still!

We currently offer 11 standards, covering 17 species of fish and shellfish and are in the final process of developing a feed standard, and a new overarching farm standard that aligns all common elements, and makes it simpler to bring new species onboard. We are also working to finalise our Improver Programme and to bring aquaculture improvements to new parts of the globe.

As our CEO Chris Ninnes says:

“The future is bright.

The future is certified.

The future is responsible aquaculture!”