ASC Certificate

The ASC Certificate is an important certification for businesses operating in the aquaculture sector. Issued by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), it confirms that aquaculture is carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

What Is the ASC Certificate?

The ASC Certificate documents that an aquaculture operation works in line with sustainability, environmental protection and social responsibility principles. It aims to reduce the environmental footprint of aquaculture, protect biodiversity and uphold worker rights.

Core Requirements and Practices

To obtain the ASC certificate, operations need to meet the following core requirements and practices:

• Environmental sustainability: aquaculture practices that protect water resources and ecosystems.
• Social responsibility: respect for worker rights and fair working conditions.
• Disease and pest management: effective control of disease and pests with limited chemical use.
• Feed management: use of sustainable and environmentally responsible feed sources.
• Water quality and waste management: protection of water quality and effective waste handling.

How to Obtain the ASC Certificate

Aquaculture operations follow these steps to obtain the ASC Certificate:

• Application and planning: apply to Eurocert and plan the ASC certification process.
• Review of farming practices: farming methods and products are reviewed against ASC standards.
• Documentation and certification: prepare records that show compliance with ASC requirements.
• Eurocert review and audit: Eurocert auditors visit the site and assess farming practices and products against ASC standards.
• Certification and continuous improvement: when conformity is confirmed, the certificate is issued and ASC practices are reviewed and improved on an ongoing basis.