The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has wrapped up a successful Discovery Tour in Scotland, where seafood buyers from the US and Italy experienced ASC-certified salmon farming first-hand.
Over three days, the group visited farms, feed mills and processing facilities operated by Mowi Scotland and Bakkafrost Scotland which gave a comprehensive view of responsible aquaculture in one of the world’s leading salmon-producing regions.
“Seeing responsible aquaculture in action brings ASC’s standards to life,” said Ally Dingwall, ASC’s chief technical officer.
“Scotland’s history of innovation in salmon farming sets a global benchmark that can inspire overseas markets.”
Beginning in Edinburgh with a welcome dinner, the tour moved through the Scottish Highlands, including stops at a Mowi processing facility in Rosyth, a recirculating aquaculture system site and a feed mill that produces ASC-compliant feed.
The journey concluded with visits to two loch-based farms certified by ASC for their high standards in environmental care, fish welfare and community involvement.
Buyers from Italmark, Sam’s Club and Holland America Line shared how the tour deepened their understanding of the supply chain with Davide Bocchi of Italmark calling the companies ‘outstanding examples of certified sustainable seafood’.
Kendall Sallee from Sam’s Club said the experience was ‘exceptionally beneficial’, while Holland America Line’s Morkel van Wyk praised Scotland’s ‘health-conscious and responsible’ approach to farming salmon.
The Scottish tour follows similar ASC events in Norway and Chile.
