Presentation on the ASC by Bas Geerts for Aquaculture Students at Stirling University, Stirling, Scotland, 22 February 2013.

1. Stirling University, February 22, 2013 Bas Geerts, Standards Director
ASC - Transforming
aquaculture

2. Content
• Aquaculture importance
• About ASC
• The ASC standards
• Certification process
• Traceability of certified product
• ASC Consumer logo
• Added value

3. Aquaculture importance
•Growing demand for animal proteins
•Decreasing wild fish stocks
•Fastest growing food production sector (8.8% 1980-2010)
•Many (often unintended) negative impacts
ASC:
•Responsible production
•Similarities to MSC and FSC

4. What? (Mission)
“A world where aquaculture plays a major role in supplying food and
social benefits for mankind whilst minimizing negative impacts on
the environment”
How? (Vision)
“Transform aquaculture towards environmental sustainability and
social responsibility using efficient market mechanisms that create
value across the chain”

5. About ASC
• Independent; not for profit
• Established April 2010
• Founders: WWF and IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative)
• Open and transparent multi-stakeholder approach
• Objectives:
• Recognise and reward responsible fish farming
• Support purchasing of certified farmed seafood
• Transform seafood markets towards ‘sustainability’

6. ASC Standards
• Result of 8 individual Aquaculture Dialogues
(initiated and coordinated by WWF)
• >2,000 participants; broad multi-stakeholder spectrum
• Based on Best Management Practice (BMP)
• 7 Principles, addressing:
o Environmental impact
o Social impact
• Unique science-based performance metrics
• Continuous improvement

7. The ASC Standards monitor environmental impacts
Science based performance metrics
7 principles:
1.Obey the law and comply with local
regulations
2.Minimise impacts on habitats,
biodiversity and ecological process
3.Avoid impact on health and genetic
diversity of wild populations
4.Manage disease and pests in a
responsible manner
5.Use resources efficiently
6.Use water in a responsible manner
7.Be a good neighbour and
conscientious citizen

8. Addressing environmental impacts
 Reduce impact on biodiversity
 Conservation of species diversity
and wild populations
 Feed and resources used
responsibly
 Animal health and husbandry
 Controlled and minimised use of
antibiotics and chemicals
 Responsible use of water

9. Addressing social impacts
•Farm personnel AND community  Prevent child- and forced labour
•Assessed by qualified social auditors  No discrimination,
 Promote health and safety
regulations
 Wages, working hours & living
 Freedom of association and rights
for collective bargaining
 Community relations and
interaction

10. ASC Certification process
• Covers all production systems (e.g. ponds, pens, nets, cages,
RAS)
• Third-party certification process:
• Independent certifiers
• Independent accreditation/monitoring of certifiers
• Transparent audit process:
• Public consultation (audit announcement & draft report)
o Bilingual at ASC website and farm (English & local)

11. How the 3rd party
process works
Farm Standards
Standard Setter
Assessment Guidance
Methodology
monitors
Traceability
Methodology
Logo Licensing
trains licenses
accredits assesses Claim
Accreditation Certification Farm & logo
Body (ASI)) Bodies
Chain

12. From Farm to Fork
• Chain of Custody (CoC) certification in
partnership with MSC
• ASC certified products traceable from farm to fork
by Chain of Custody certification
• Provides audit efficiency in supply chain and
efficiencies in ‘system’ costs
• An approach ASC enshrines

13. The ASC Consumer Logo
• Helps consumers choose for
responsibly farmed seafood
sourced from farms that limit
their environmental and social
impacts
• ASC certified products now
available in European
Canadian supermarkets

14. Species Standard Accredited Certification
Audit Manual
(by ADs) Certifiers (exp.) (possible from)
Tilapia  FINAL  FINAL  FINAL  FINAL
Pangasius  FINAL  FINAL  FINAL  FINAL
Salmon  FINAL  FINAL Q2/13 Q3/13
Abalone  FINAL FINAL DRAFT Q4/13 Q1/14
Bivalves  FINAL FINAL DRAFT Q3/13 Q4/13
Trout  FINAL FINAL DRAFT Q3/13 Q4/13
Shrimp FINAL DRAFT DRAFT TBA TBA
Seriola/Cobia TBA TBA TBA TBA

15. How the ASC adds value in the supply chain
• Recognises and rewards
responsible fish farming!
• Improved transparency
makes seafood products
traceable from farm to fork
• The ASC logo links
consumers to production
• Improved reputation
• Enhanced brand value and
recognition

16. How the ASC adds value for investors
• ASC transforms the
aquaculture sector addressing
environmental and social
impacts
• ASC certification can act as
screening tool to aid
investment decisions (certified
companies are claimed to
have lower risk profiles)
• ASC certification can be used
as a requirement for
investment

17. Future…
• Complete remaining 2 standards: Shrimp, Seriola/Cobia
• Bring all (8) standards to market
(set up accreditation, train auditors, etc.)
• Add new species
• Review/revise standards’ content
• Develop Group certification requirements
• Develop Feed Standard

18. ASC re-cap
• Multi-stakeholder
• Standard development (public consultation)
• Certification process (public consultation)
• Transparency (e.g. www.asc-aqua.org)
• Standards development
• Certification process
• Governance (meeting minutes, complaints etc.)
• Best management practice
• Realistic approach
• ASC quality control
• ASI, ISEAL, FAO, ISO

19. ASC Supporters!
Founding partners

20. Thank you
Questions?
Bas.Geerts@asc-aqua.org