Tassal Operations' farming site in Macquarie Harbour has become the first in the southern hemisphere to earn Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for farmed salmon, assessed by SCS Global Services.
The ASC has the most rigorous environmental and social sustainability certification program for farmed seafood products and SCS Global Services is a globally recognised certification body.
Robert J. Hrubes, SCS executive vice president said Tassal’s certification will provide market benefits for its customers and will also minimise impacts on the Tasmanian marine ecosystem.
The certification means that Tassal’s farmed salmon operation conforms to the seven core principals of the ASC standards which address biodiversity preservation in the surrounding ecosystem, water quality protection, commitment to sustainable sourcing, and transparency with community stakeholders.
Tassal has committed to getting all six of its salmon farming sites certified in the coming year. The company also plans to pursue ASC Chain of Custody certification for its processing sites, to show its certified salmon is properly tracked and segregated from non-certified product throughout the supply chain.
Mark Ryan, Tassal CEO said "With more and more customers demanding sustainable products, it makes sense [to pursue ASC certifications] for the environment and for the bottom line of Australian companies."