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Species Scope Extension Project: Atlantic Cod
ASC responds to 2025 cod consultation feedback
The summary report from the 2025 stakeholder consultation on the addition of Atlantic cod to the ASC programme is now published.
Read the summary report and ASC response here.
The consultation ran from 15 May to 15 June 2025. We received 34 responses to our survey, largely from Norway, including from seven Atlantic cod producers.
Following a positive response from respondents, Atlantic cod will be added to the ASC Certification Programme in October 2025, initially through a modified ASC Salmon Standard to enable immediate access to certification.
In response to specific stakeholder feedback, ASC has:
- Adjusted the FFDRm threshold from the proposed <1.7 to 2.3, falling to 2.1 after four years.
- Exempted cod from area-based management requirements
- Aligned fishmeal requirements with the ASC Farm Standard, to ensure that no Atlantic cod is included in diets but that inclusion of blue whiting permitted
- Extended current salmon variation requests to cod
Further resources:
Why add Atlantic cod to the ASC Certification Programme?
There is increasing demand for ASC certification of Atlantic cod from both farmers and retailers. Atlantic cod is a logical addition to the ASC Certification Programme due to strong similarities with salmon farming in Norway. Most ASC Salmon Standard v1.4 criteria are also relevant to cod.
What impacts would be covered by adding Atlantic cod to the ASC Certification Programme?
By certifying Atlantic cod, ASC can drive improvements in farming practices, support environmental responsibility and promote fair working conditions in this sector of aquaculture. Key issues that would be addressed through the ASC Certification Programme include biodiversity loss, ecosystem impacts, the spread of disease and resource sustainability.
Approach
ASC is proposing firstly to adapt the ASC Salmon Standard v1.4 to include Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and then ultimately to integrate the species into the ASC Farm Standard v1.1 (see timeline).
