The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, is a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to transforming aquaculture towards environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Since its establishment in 2010, ASC has developed the most comprehensive global certification and labelling program for responsibly farmed seafood, covering environmental protection, social responsibility, animal welfare, and food safety.
Core Business and Offerings
ASC operates as a globally recognized certification body, providing independent third-party certification for responsible aquaculture practices. Its core offerings include:
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ASC Certification for Responsible Aquaculture:
- Certifies aquaculture farms that meet stringent environmental and social standards.
- Standards cover a range of species including salmon, shrimp, tilapia, trout, pangasius, bivalves, and sea bass/bream.
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ASC Chain of Custody Certification:
- Ensures the traceability of ASC-certified seafood throughout the supply chain.
- Enables use of the ASC label on products, assuring consumers of the integrity of certified seafood.
These certifications allow producers, retailers, and foodservice operators to demonstrate accountability, traceability, and commitment to sustainability.
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition
ASC distinguishes itself with its rigorous and science-based standards, verified by independent third-party auditors. Key USPs include:
- Most Comprehensive Aquaculture Standards: The ASC program covers over 100 performance indicators, including biodiversity preservation, waste management, antibiotic use, feed sustainability, worker safety, and community engagement.
- Credible and Transparent Certification Process: Includes public consultation, stakeholder engagement, and on-site assessments by accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs).
- Global Recognition: ASC is widely recognized by NGOs, retailers, and government bodies as the leading sustainability standard in aquaculture.
Financial and Operational Insights
As a non-profit, ASC reinvests its revenues into improving certification systems, outreach, and stakeholder support. Key organizational metrics include:
- Certified Farms: Over 2,300 ASC-certified farms across more than 45 countries as of 2023.
- Species Coverage: Certification available for over 15 aquaculture species.
- Market Penetration:
- More than 20,000 products globally carry the ASC label.
- Over 100 retailers and foodservice chains offer ASC-certified seafood, including Walmart, Carrefour, Aldi, and Whole Foods.
- Growth Rate: The number of ASC-certified farms grew at an average annual rate of 15–20% over the past five years.
Shipment and Certification Reach
While ASC does not engage in seafood production or trade, its certification reaches across the entire seafood value chain:
- Farm Locations: Asia (Vietnam, China, India, Indonesia), Europe (Norway, UK, Spain), Americas (Chile, Canada, U.S.)
- Global Export Reach: Certified seafood is traded and sold in over 85 countries worldwide.
- Chain of Custody Partners: Includes processors, distributors, cold storage facilities, and retailers.
The ASC Chain of Custody system is aligned with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) CoC standard, ensuring consistency across wild and farmed seafood.
Target Market
ASC serves a diverse and global audience, including:
- Aquaculture Farms
- Seafood Processors
- Retailers and Foodservice Providers
- Importers and Distributors
- NGOs and Policymakers
- Consumers seeking sustainable seafood options
The ASC label empowers consumers to make informed and responsible purchasing decisions.
Capabilities
Key organizational and operational capabilities include:
- Standard Development and Review: Collaborates with industry, scientists, and NGOs to ensure up-to-date and scientifically grounded certification criteria.
- Training and Capacity Building: Provides multilingual training resources for farms, auditors, and supply chain partners.
- Traceability Tools: Operates the ASC Trace online platform for real-time product verification and batch traceability.
- Marketing and Consumer Engagement: Promotes the ASC label through global campaigns and partnerships with sustainable seafood advocates.
Certifications and Compliance
ASC maintains the highest level of credibility and compliance across its certifications:
- ISEAL Alliance Membership – Complies with ISEAL Codes of Good Practice for standard-setting and assurance.
- Third-Party Verification – All audits are conducted by independent CABs accredited to ISO/IEC 17065.
- Public Audit Reports – Transparency through mandatory publication of audit outcomes and stakeholder engagement.
- Alignment with UN SDGs – Contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Customer and Stakeholder Testimonials
- “ASC is the gold standard for responsible aquaculture. Their certification ensures our seafood supply chain is ethical and traceable.” – Global Retail Buyer, Carrefour
- “Consumers trust the ASC label — it gives them confidence that their seafood choices are supporting sustainability.” – NGO Partner, Sustainable Seafood Coalition
Major Achievements
- Developed the world’s most robust standards for aquaculture sustainability
- Certified over 2,300 farms globally, covering over 2.5 million metric tons of seafood annually
- Expanded Chain of Custody certification to over 20,000 seafood products in global markets
- Launched ASC Feed Standard in 2021, the first of its kind to ensure responsible aquafeed sourcing
- Recognized by over 100 NGOs and industry groups for its leadership in responsible aquaculture
Through its globally recognized certification programs, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council empowers the aquaculture industry to improve practices, engage responsibly with communities, and meet the increasing demand for sustainable seafood across the globe.