Belize shrimp farms ASC certified

The Belize Shrimp Grower's Association members have achieved certification against the global science-based ASC Shrimp Standard as responsible and well-managed farms.

Member of the Belize Shrimp Growers Association, Alvin Henderson, describes Belize as a country of rich biodiversity with a stretch of mangrove belt along the coast that acts as a natural filtration system.

“The journey towards ASC certification has helped to highlight areas of our operations where we can make meaningful change with minimal financial resources. Sometimes all that is really required is a change of perspective,” Mr Henderson explains. “We’re using less water on our farm through improving the way we manage water quality. And, by focusing on compliance, we uncovered that the water in the receiving body is of even better quality since our mangrove buffer acts as a biofilter.”

Chris Ninnes, ASC’s CEO, said, “I congratulate the Belize Shrimp Growers Association members on their ASC certification, they should be very proud of their achievement.

“These farms have undergone a transparent, open and demanding assessment process – and through that have proven their responsible practices. The improvements they have made will make a difference for the future environmental sustainability of the region and to a community ethos of social responsibility.”

The farms worked with WWF Mesoamerican Reef program officer for aquaculture, Mauricio Mejia, to develop better management practices and reduce their environmental impacts.

“The dedication and collaboration of the shrimp farmers both in improving their farm processes and meeting the social and community aspects of the standard have made a big difference,” Mr Mejia said.

The Belize Shrimp Growers Association was provided with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH).