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The bivalve standard
Bivalve farmers face a number of issues in bringing their clams, oysters, mussels and scallops to market. With ASC certification, bivalve farmers evidence their contributions to responsible labour practices, disease management, and ecosystem conservation.
ASC sets the standards for environmentally and socially responsible bivalve farming.
Certified farms actively minimise their impact on the surrounding natural environment.
Certified farms operate in a socially responsible manner, care for their employees and work with the local community.
ASC certification gives farms clear guidelines to follow. The Bivalve Standard helps protect farms against these issues:
Biodiversity
ASC certified bivalve farms minimise impacts on the local ecosystem in a number of ways, such as ensuring that farms are not sited in areas with key biological or ecological functions. Farms must implement environmental management plans to ensure that they are not adversely affecting the ecological integrity of the area in which they are located. No harm to threatened or endangered species or their habitats is allowed.
Pollution
PollutionASC certified bivalve farms are required to manage the organic deposits on the sediment beneath the farm in a responsible manner. Sulphide levels in the sediment need to be measured at regular intervals and remain within set limits.
Diseases
DiseasesASC certified bivalve farms must adhere to rigorous requirements to minimise disease outbreaks. Certified farms are not allowed to use harmful pesticides. If chemicals are used, only those that do not harm the marine environment are permitted. Farms must also ensure that actions to prevent diseases do not cause harm to endangered species or have a permanent impact on critical habitats.
Wild seed collection
ASC certified bivalve farms that use wild seed must procure the seed from well-regulated natural resources.
Social
ASC certification imposes strict requirements based on the core principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), these include prohibiting the use of child labour or any form of forced labour. All ASC certified farms are safe and equitable working environments where employees earn a decent wage and have regulated working hours.