The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Ghana's Chamber of Aquaculture (COA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the sustainability of the country’s aquaculture sector.
In a press release, ASC said the new MoU will utilize its Aquaculture Improver Program (AIP) to help small-scale farmers in Ghana improve their farming operations. ASC first announced the program in 2018 and officially launched the program at the Global Shrimp Forum in September 2023.
The AIP is modeled similarly to fishery improvement projects, and the ASC has been working to gain more participants in its program. It initially had a focus on small-scale shrimp farmers in Southeast Asia and Latin America, and the company recently welcomed Ecuador-based AGRIMINGOLD into the program to help improve the company’s shrimp aquaculture.
The new MoU with Ghana’s Chamber of Aquaculture will focus on the country’s rapidly expanding fish-farming sector. Ghanaian companies have been seeking investors for a range of different aquaculture projects, including catfish farming. The country’s National Democratic Congress party – under which the country’s new fisheries minister Emelia Arthur was recently appointed – has also pledged to revitalize fisheries and aquaculture in the country and promote the development of the blue economy.
“The Aquaculture Improvement Project under the Improver Program by ASC will reshape the aquaculture scene in Ghana by allowing businesses to reach international markets that seek certified farmed fish while also drawing in new investment to the country’s aquaculture industry,” COA CEO Jacob Adzikah said in a release. “The project is a step-by-step initiative that would help farms improve their practices in areas like sustainability, food safety, and social responsibility, with the ultimate goal of achieving ASC certification and meeting global standards.”
ASC said the partnership will help aquaculture operations in Ghana increase transparency, which in turn increases market access for Ghanaian aquaculture products and boosts the industry. To do so, ASC and the chamber plan to establish a code of good practices (CoGP) that will use ASC standards but that will be tailored to the unique context of fish farming in Ghana.
“This partnership is a gamechanger for Ghana’s seafood farming future. We’re proud to work alongside the Chamber of Aquaculture to help farmers improve practices through the development of the CoGP, strengthen market opportunities, and build a future toward Ghana’s sustainable development,” ASC Improver Program Head Roy van Daatselaar said.
He said the ultimate goal of the new partnership and the improver program is to establish Ghana as a leader in the blue foods space in the region.
“By developing a locally owned CoGP aligned with international standards, we can empower the sector with the tools and knowledge to improve socially and environmentally responsible operations and prepare the industry to meet growing global demand for responsibly sourced seafood,” van Daatselaar said. “This MoU sets the foundation for collaboration, mutual support, and shared vision in strengthening Ghana’s aquaculture ecosystem, while contributing to broader global goals around food security, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods.”
