Three oyster farms have become the first in the world to enter assessment against the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Bivalves Standard for responsible aquaculture.
By completing the certification, Jersey Sea Farms, Jersey Oyster Ltd and Seymour Oysters, all based in Jersey, UK, have demonstrated that they use responsible aquaculture practices minimising their environmental and social impact.
Tony Legg, owner, Jersey Sea Farms’, said: "We made the decision to get involved with the ASC programme at an early stage by taking part in the pilot audits. By gaining certification against the ASC Bivalve Standard we can show our customers that the farm operates with the highest regard for the environment and local communities."
Mr Legg added that by working closely together with the other two newly certified farms, ASC certified Pacific and native oysters should be on the European market by Christmas.
Jersey Sea Farms was audited by independent, third party certifier called Control Union Peru in September this year. Both owned and single-handedly operated by Mr Legg, the farm is striving to produce 75 tonnes per annum of top-quality European Native Oysters (Ostrea edulis).
The ASC Bivalves Standard was developed by a diverse stakeholder group with hundreds of participants and carries the most robust global requirements for bivalve farming.
As a standard it addresses key impacts of bivalves farming such as responsible use of therapeutics and antibiotics, site impacts, protection of natural habitats, pollution and waste management and labour rights for farm workers.
