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Certification

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ASC creates measurable, positive change in global seafood farming.

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ASC seeks feedback on three reports in response to operational review

November 9, 2015

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) invites public feedback on new papers outlining recommendations to improve the ASC Salmon and Tilapia standards. Consultation closes on Sunday, 6 December 2015.

The three reports are part of ASC’s operational review and were produced in response to feedback received from the first round of public consultation, held earlier this year.

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to:

  • the Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) in the ASC Salmon Standard
  • the Parasiticide Treatment Index in the ASC Salmon Standard
  • the antibiotic requirements in the ASC Tilapia standard.

ASC Salmon Standard Forage Fish Dependency Ratio

When the ASC launched the farmed salmon standard back in 2012, the Salmon Standard Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) met best practice. However, three years on the FFDR standard is being updated to reflect current best practice.

Review feedback called for FFDR requirements to be revised to 1.2 for fishmeal and 2.8 for fish oil, from the original figures of 1.35 for fishmeal and 2.95 for fish oil.

ASC Salmon Standard ParasiticideTreatment Index

The second paper recommends replacing the Parasiticide Treatment Index (PTI) in the salmon standard to set a measure that reflects current best practice, shape the methodology used and maintain the rigour of the standard.

The paper outlines a number of options, including measures for responsible reduction of parasiticides used to control and limit common diseases.

Antibiotic requirements in ASC Tilapia Standard

In line with best practice, there is a move to prohibit the use of antibiotics classified by WHO as critically important to human health.

The ASC will look to ensue that the current guidelines are met and that any changes will be applied during recertification at the next annual assessment. For farms under assessment, any changes will come into effect six months after any approved changes.

Operational review

The operational review complements ASC’s project to harmonise the structure and content of its eight farm standards to create a core standards, with species or production method specific requirements where needed.

Have your say

Anyone wishing to provide feedback can use the comments submission form on the ASC website. Email your feedback to standards@asc-aqua.org.

All feedback submitted in response to each of the papers will be proposed to the ASC’s TAG for final approval.

Stakeholders may wish to submit feedback on operational issues outside of the scope of this review. ASC welcomes this feedback and will acknowledge and record issues submitted to inform a full review of the ASC standards in the future.

Confidental Infomation