Marine Harvest Canada's Marsh Bay farm is the first salmon farm in North America to attain Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification. The company expects its first certified fish, under the Sterling brand, to enter the North American market next month.
The company has committed to achieve certification for all of its farms by 2020. Clare Backman, Marine Harvest Canada's public affairs director, said ASC certification “validates our commitment to align our operations with the toughest standards and highest environmental and social principles. We are happy to celebrate this milestone which has been anticipated by the public and our customers.”
The ASC standard emphasizes environmental and conservation principles that protect natural habitats, biodiversity and wild fish populations through rigorous criteria for environmental monitoring, responsible disease management, and feed ingredients. Demonstrating socially responsible practices that support workers and communities is another significant focus of the standard.
Marsh Bay joins fewer than 30 salmon farms worldwide that have succeeded in achieving the certification since the standard was finalized in June 2012.
