Taylor Shellfish Farms has achieved Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification, making it the first and only bivalve farm in the United States to earn the standard and just the fifth US farm included in ASC’s global programme.
The certification expands the availability of ASC-labelled shellfish for American consumers, chefs and retailers, at a time when demand for responsibly sourced seafood and supply chain transparency continues to grow.
“Taylor Shellfish becoming the first North American bivalve farm to achieve ASC certification should excite both industry and consumers,” said Erica Tardiff, market development manager at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
“Research proves that today’s consumers are increasingly conscientious about sustainable seafood options and more discerning about how those claims are backed up. Americans also continue to prioritise local seafood when possible, and now they have shellfish that ticks both boxes.”
North America’s largest oyster producer, Taylor Shellfish’s certification covers seven species farmed in Washington’s coastal waters: Olympia Oyster, Kumamoto Oyster, Eastern Oyster, Pacific Oyster, Mediterranean Mussel, Manila Clam and Geoduck Clam. The company’s geoduck is currently the only ASC-certified geoduck in the world.
As a vertically integrated operation, Taylor Shellfish farms, harvests and distributes its shellfish products directly, supplying retail and foodservice markets while also serving them at its oyster bars in Seattle and Samish. The venues are designed to showcase a ‘tide-to-table’ experience featuring shellfish sourced from nearby tidelands.
The certification comes as ASC enters its fifth year of its North American marketing campaign, Sea Green. Be Green., aimed at raising awareness of certified sustainable seafood.
Meanwhile, Taylor Shellfish reports growing demand for shelf-stable seafood, with production of its Ekone tinned seafood brand increasing 30% year on year.
