First Recirculated Aquaculture System Farm in Poland Achieves ASC Certification
January 14, 2016
Global Fish in central Poland has become the first recirculated aquaculture system (RAS) tilapia farm to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification by a third party certifier to the ASC Tilapia Standard.
The company achieved certification by demonstrating good management practices in minimising adverse social and environmental impacts at their four hectare farm in Bońki, near Płońsk. Control Union Peru (C-U-P) carried out the independent assessment of Global Fish.
Meeting social and environmental standards
Global Fish aims to supply fresh tilapia to local markets within Poland and across Europe. Although tilapia is a freshwater fish traditionally farmed in Africa, Asia and Central America, RAS has allowed farmers in new regions to better serve the changing needs of land-based farming operations and to meet market demands for seafood.
With RAS technology, tilapia and other fish can be responsibly farmed indoors anywhere in the world. The recirculating system at the core of the technology treats and recycles water to conserve resources, and ensure good water quality.
Credible and independent farm certification
Strong stakeholder engagement is a key component of the ASC certification programme. Input from qualified, outside sources is actively sought throughout the audit process and future audits are opened for public consultation 30 days before assessment. Final audit reports are published on the ASC’s website to encourage inclusiveness and openness.