New interactive dashboard makes it even easier to find out about ASC’s impacts

Searching for data and statistics about responsible seafood farming around the world just got easier thanks to a new and interactive Impacts Dashboard on ASC’s website.

As well as working to improve standards in aquaculture, ASC is committed to transparency and has long made public various data and documents about the programme, ranging from every farm audit report to statistics about the programme. The new Impacts Dashboard follows from release of ASC’s first Monitoring and Evaluation report in 2020 and takes data about the programme, such as the number and location of certified farms and active products bearing the ASC logo in the marketplace, presenting them in an accessible and interactive format. One of the principles behind the dashboard is that transparency is not just about publishing data or information, but about ensuring it is as accessible as possible.

Interactive and downloadable charts

The dashboard allows users to drill down into these data, making comparisons across regions or species, and filtering to standards of interest, or comparing figures historically to identify trends. Data are presented clearly using interactive charts and maps, which can be downloaded for use.

Jill Swasey, Head of Monitoring & Evaluation said: “In our continued commitment to transparency, we want to increase the ability to act on data for both ASC and our partners and stakeholders. That’s the idea behind our first Impacts Dashboard. It will provide an important picture of ASC’s growth, the reach of environmentally and socially responsible seafood choices, and inform market opportunities.

“We rely on the quality of data gathered through our farm assessments, chain of custody assessments, information on the markets for ASC products and communications with partners and stakeholders. As more farms join the ASC programme and we continue to expand our scope, we will increase our impact reporting to further understand the change to which ASC and our farms are contributing. In the meantime, please take a visit to the dashboard and explore what we’ve achieved so far!”

More to come

Rather than constituting a finished product, the Impacts Dashboard will be continually improved, expanded and refined over the coming months and years. It currently presents and builds on data which were previously published as part of ASC’s monthly certification updates, but with greater accessibility and some additional features, but there are plans to add new data in future.

The dashboard is part of ASC’s ongoing Monitoring & Evaluation work, which aims to demonstrate the reach, growth, and real-world impacts of the ASC programme. This work can also have benefits beyond ASC. As the aquaculture industry continues to grow, its impacts and how to measure or reduce them become increasingly important. The data provided by the ASC programme can be used by academics, NGOs or other industry bodies to increase knowledge about the industry and generate new ideas and improvements.

• View the Impacts Dashboard.