ASC and South Korean National Institute of Fisheries Science partner to advance sustainability

The London, United Kingdom-based Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Haenam, South Korea-based National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance responsible seafood farming in the nation.

The NIFS is a leading South Korean aquaculture and marine sustainability research organization run by the national Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

"This is an important step forward in strengthening international partnerships and advancing responsible seafood farming practices that benefit fish, farm, people, and planet," ASC CEO Chris Ninnes said at the 27 May signing ceremony, which took place at NIFS’ Seaweed Research Institute in Haenam.

“With the fisheries industry undergoing rapid changes due to climate change and other factors, this MOU serves as a starting point for transitioning to eco-friendly aquaculture industry,” NIFS President Choi Yong-seok said

Yong-seok added that the goal of the partnership is to set “a standard model for sustainable aquaculture and strengthen the export competitiveness of Korean farmed seafood."

Key goals of the collaboration include developing technology for the production of seaweed, shellfish, and fish; making stronger information sharing links between the Korean sector and experts internationally; developing ecosystems-based certification technology; and improving farming conditions to support long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

The Korean aquaculture sector is currently dominated by the production of olive flounder, which has become increasingly popular in East Asia in recent years. ASC has previously collaborated with Seoul-based aquaculture firm Raon Bada, awarding the company’s olive flounder the species’ first ASC certification.

At Seafood Expo Global 2025, which ran 6-9 May in Barcelona, Spain, the ASC unveiled its new Farm Standard, which aligned the organization’s twelve species standards into one global standard.

"With the population estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050, and with wild-caught fisheries at capacity, the importance of seafood farming will continue to grow—the environmental and social impacts of our industry must be addressed," Nunnes said at the launch.

Nunnes also said that part of that work is the “championing [of] farms and feed mills that are making change.”