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Programme Improvements
At ASC, we regularly review and develop our Standards and the certification programme. Engaging with our stakeholders is crucial to ensure the Programme stays relevant and effective.
Open stakeholder consultations
ASC Chain of Custody Module Review:
Second consultation, 2 March – 2 May 2026
Aquaculture in Protected Areas:
Preliminary consultation, 9 March – 9 April 2026
Upcoming stakeholder consultations
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) within the ASC Farm Standard
Past stakeholder consultations
Aquaculture in Protected Areas
ASC is conducting a preliminary consultation as part of our Aquaculture in Protected Areas project. This project aims to clarify how aquaculture can operate within protected areas and to ensure that ASC certification requirements are aligned with globally recognised conservation frameworks.
This consultation will run from 9 March to 9 April 2026.
We seek stakeholder input on:
- The project objectives, outcomes, scope, justification, timeline, governance and stakeholder engagement plan (Terms of Reference)
- Key risks, challenges, and regional considerations that should be addressed as we develop our approach to protected areas
- Additional protected areas governance frameworks to be considered
- Specific questions for CABs and auditors
The survey link is available here:
The following slide deck contains key background information about the project and the consultation. It is available in English and Spanish:
- Protected areas consultation deck (English)
- Protected areas consultation deck (Spanish)
Further resources available for this stakeholder consultation:
If you have any questions, please contact dan.auwkit@asc-aqua.org.
Background and objective
With both global aquaculture and protected areas systems expanding, there is an urgent need to clarify how aquaculture can operate responsibly within or near PAs and coexist with conservation objectives.
Aquaculture has become the world’s largest source of aquatic animal production, surpassing capture fisheries in 2022. At the same time, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commits countries to protecting at least 30% of land and marine areas by 2030 as well as to effective management and governance.