Peru-based AcuaPesca Group is the first bivalve farm to offer Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-certified scallops.

The Group exports 2,000 tonnes of scallop meat per year. Photo: AcuaPesca

The Group exports 2,000 tonnes of scallop meat per year. Photo: AcuaPesca

The company achieved the ASC certification this week for five of its scallop farms proving its environmental and socially responsible practices.

“With growing pressure on the environment and our oceans, it becomes more important to help people recognise well-managed production through a robust certification programme, which is what ASC does for us; by combining that recognition with a consumer-facing label it also provides a clear guarantee of provenance to the buyer,” said Carlos Goldin, president, AcuaPesca.

To meet the criteria set out in the ASC Bivalve Standard, the group carried out research, such as quantifying the farms' impacts on the benthic environment and defining limits to the ecosystem's carrying capacity.

In addition, a social impact assessment was carried out to ensure the ASC's social requirements are met.

“Demand for responsibly certified seafood has continued to grow; we now have over 2000 approved products carrying the ASC logo. I look forward to more companies committing to responsible aquaculture now that ASC certified scallops will be available in the market,” added Chris Ninnes, CEO, ASC.

AcuaPesca aims to supply around 2000 tonnes of ASC certified scallop to customers across France, Italy, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and other markets.

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