St. Andrews Becomes First Chilean Mussel Producer to Earn ASC Multisite Certification

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is proud to announce that St. Andrews has become the first mussel producer in Chile to achieve ASC multisite with management system (MS with IMS) certification. St. Andrews is one of the world’s largest mussel growers, overseeing more than 1,500 hectares of cultivation and producing around 60,000 tonnes of mussels each year. The new certification spans seven mussel farms across its operation.

ASC Programme Assurance Director Efrain Calderon applauded the achievement, saying, “St. Andrews has reached an impressive milestone that oodemonstrates its deep commitment to sustainable aquaculture, responsible sourcing, community engagement, and the integration of small producers into the ASC programme. Their leadership is a powerful signal to the industry that strong environmental and social practices can align seamlessly with efficiency, growth, and expanded market access.”

The ASC MS with IMS certification provides producers with a framework to uphold rigorous sustainability practices while streamlining operations and reducing costs — a win for the environment, for producers, and for the communities whose livelihoods depend on aquaculture.

Eduardo Ferrari, Regional Manager at St. Andrews said, “This achievement demonstrates that sustainability depends on commitment, not on size. A big company can grow alongside its suppliers without losing its humanity or its connection to the community.”

Multisite Model Delivers Efficiency, Savings, and Stronger Compliance

Ferrari highlighted the clear advantages of MS with IMS certification over single-site certification. By assessing a centralised management system and auditing only a sample of sites, audit costs are significantly reduced, and preparation time is cut as documentation, procedures, and records are managed collectively.

Ferrari added, “Together, these efficiencies make the multisite approach a more streamlined and cost-effective option, enabling faster coordination and smoother operational management across all participating sites.”

Under the ASC MS with IMS programme, the farms introduced a more organised document-management system, embedding environmental and social requirements into daily operations. This not only improved efficiency and long-term oversight but also helped suppliers gain a deeper understanding of regulatory requirements—from environmental and social standards to quality and government obligations. The result is strengthened compliance, a culture of continuous improvement, enhanced customer trust, and broader access to international markets.

Strengthening Operations, Safety, and Community Engagement

Operational, infrastructure, and community improvements have been introduced to support certification compliance. Waste management was enhanced through the installation of recycling points, temporary collection areas, and waste segregation systems, alongside improved handling of hydrocarbon waste. Worker health and safety measures were strengthened with protective equipment, clearer signage, evacuation routes, first aid kits, upgraded facilities, and regular training.

On the community front, local groups were identified and engaged through meetings and activities, improving communication and transparency. St. Andrews’ team provides ongoing support, while the Multisite Certification Lead reinforces standards, conducts routine visits, inspections, and internal audits to each site to verify compliance, address gaps, and monitor progress on improvement actions.

Chile’s Mussel Industry and St. Andrews’ Role

Chile is the world’s leading mussel exporter, shipping roughly 100,000 tonnes of finished product annually, and growing about 400,000 tonnes of mussels, second only to China, which produces more but exports less. About half of Chile’s mussel production comes from small artisanal farms, some of which St. Andrews has helped certify under the ASC multisite programme. As Chile’s largest mussel producer, St. Andrews alone exports around 25,000 tonnes of finished product annually, 80,000 tonnes of raw material equivalent, highlighting its central role in the country’s growing mussel sector.

Mussel production has a relatively lower impact than other animal proteins because mussels naturally filter-feed without needing land, freshwater, or external feed, making them one of the most resource-efficient animal proteins.