Farmed salmon that has been certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is now recognized as a “good alternative” (yellow rating) by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program following the release of a new benchmark report.
In the report, Seafood Watch credits the requirements for data collection and performance based standards, including parameters for the responsible use of natural resources, the use of responsible feed and restrictions on the use of antibiotics for farms certified to the ASC Salmon Standard.
The ASC program currently includes 198 salmon farms and a further 47 are in assessment in eight countries around the world.
Ryan Bigelow, program engagement manager for Seafood Watch, said the improvements ASC had made to its farmed salmon standard, particularly the mandate to further reduce to the amount of wild fish ingredients used on the farm, meant the program would recommend ASC certified salmon to its partners, the public and other sustainability organizations that rely on its recommendations.
Seafood Watch recommendations are determined through an assessment process that ensures that seafood rated as “good alternative” has fewer environmental impacts. The recommendations raise public awareness about sustainable seafood issues through consumer guides, a website, mobile apps and outreach efforts. They also encourage restaurants, distributors and seafood purveyors to purchase from sustainable sources.
