Increasing availability of ASC certified salmon

Lerøy Midt Hogsneset Nord Farm has become the second ASC certified salmon farm this month. Salmon from Hogsneset Nord Farm is now eligible to bear the ASC logo, clearly indicating to consumers that the salmon they are buying comes from a responsible and well managed farm.   

As we start the year, momentum is growing for ASC certified salmon as we witness the increasing availability in the global seafood market.  Leroy Midt Hogsneset Nord Farm joins ASC certified Villa Arctic AS Jarfjord Farm in Norway, which gained certification earlier this month.  Six more salmon farms have already entered the ASC programme and are in the process of seeking ASC certification: five in Norway and one in Australia.

Sven Amund Fjeldvær, CEO Lerøy Midt, said: “We are proud to have a salmon farm certified with ASC. Achieving this certification matches our company values and our aim to produce an excellent product in clean waters and a healthy environment. The certification process needed great focus throughout our organization but it has been a positive and a challenging process that has been good for us. Congratulations Lerøy Midt, Hogsneset Nord crew and Site Manager Terje Bøe Røsand.”

GSI commitment to meet ASC Salmon Standard by 2020

Farmed salmon is a well known and respected product globally. Minimising the associated environmental and social impacts is crucial in further strengthening its important market position.

Lerøy is a member of the Global Salmon Initiative (GSI), and is committed to ensuring all its salmon farms meet the ASC Salmon Standard by 2020.

The GSI is a leadership initiative established by global farmed salmon producers to make significant progress on industry sustainability. The GSI has 15 member companies; approximately 70 per cent of the global salmon industry.

Meeting the growing demand for fish responsibly

Fishing resources are finite with 85 per cent of wild fish stocks nearly or completely overfished. Aquaculture is a solution to meet the growing demand for fish while reducing the pressure on wild capture fisheries. By 2018, more than half of the fish consumed globally will come from aquaculture. However, when aquaculture is not well managed, it can have adverse impacts.

The ASC certification programme recognises and rewards responsible farming activities, focusing on the conservation and quality of water resources, no misuse of antibiotics, minimising escapes, compliance with strict feed requirements and social responsibilities.