First Finfish Farm in United States Achieves ASC Certification
EMERYVILLE, Calif., February 8, 2021 /3BL Media/ - Blue Ocean Mariculture has become the first ASC certified finfish farm in the US after achieving certification against the ASC Seriola and Cobia Standard at its Hawaii farm.
Blue Ocean Mariculture farms Seriola rivoliana, also known as almaco jack, that is branded as Hawaiian Kanpachi. The farm achieved certification after a rigorous multi-day on-site audit by the independent conformity assessment body, SCS Global Services. The audit assessed the farm’s performance against dozens of stringent requirements covering environmental and social impacts.
Hawaiian Kanpachi is highly prized by chefs, especially for use in sushi. It is found naturally in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and Blue Ocean Mariculture farms the fish in submersible open-ocean pens in the seas off the Island of Hawaii, near Kona.
Unlike other certification programs, farms applying for ASC certification must demonstrate not only that they meet strict environmental requirements but also that they are managed in a socially responsible way. Just a few of the requirements in the ASC Seriola and Cobia Standard include: maintaining good water quality in and around the farm; minimizing escapes; sourcing feed responsibly; paying and treating workers fairly; and acting as responsible neighbors to nearby communities.
Kathleen McDavitt, ASC US Market Development Manager, said: “This exciting news is a testament to the hard work of Blue Ocean Mariculture. There is a vibrant and growing aquaculture industry in the US, and it’s so important that it grows in an environmentally and socially responsible way, which is exactly what ASC certification is about.
“We know that US consumers are increasingly looking to make more environmentally conscientious decisions, and farms like Blue Ocean Mariculture are giving them the option to do this while also buying local.”
Dick Jones, CEO of Blue Ocean said: “Our Hawaiian Kanpachi is grown in the spirit of Aloha ‘Āina which respects all living things. Our audit to the ASC standard reinforces our commitment to the highest level of performance at our farm, and when combined with the unparalleled quality and freshness of our fish, we can only deliver the best eating experience possible to our discerning customers.”
Adam Daddino, Aquaculture Program Manager, SCS Global Services said: “SCS applauds Blue Ocean Mariculture for achieving this notable landmark and becoming the first ASC certified finfish aquaculture farm in the United States. We are happy to see the growth of aquaculture in the United States. Based on our rigorous third-party assessment, Blue Ocean Mariculture has demonstrated they are ready to help lead the US forward with environmentally and socially responsible farming practices.”
All ASC standards are audited by independent third-party companies, known as Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), which ensures that the program is implemented fairly and impartially. Initial audits involve auditors from CABs visiting the farm, taking measurements, viewing records and talking to staff to ensure the farm is meeting all of the requirements of the standard.
Consumers can look for the ASC label on seafood products, which can only be used if all of the ingredients come from ASC certified farms, and have only been processed by certified companies throughout the entire supply chain.
Blue Ocean Mariculture began operating in 2009 and its facility now covers the entire production of Hawaiian Kanpachi, with an onshore hatchery linked to the submersible open-ocean pens where fish are grown out. It sells its fish to a mixture of businesses, especially sushi manufacturers who, in turn, supply retailers and caterers. Seriola’s quality makes it a popular ingredient for sushi, and the name ‘kanpachi’ is itself Japanese: ‘kan pachi’ means ‘centre eight’, a reference to the distinctive bands over the eyes of the young fish.
Learn more about ASC Certification
Media contacts
Jack Cutforth
Media Manager, ASC
jack.cutforth@asc-aqua.org
+44 (0)7854 498 005
David Valleau, VP Sales
david.valleau@bofish.com
+1 (425) 463-7669
Nikki Helms
Marketing Project Manager, SCS Global Services
nhelms@scsglobalservices.com
+1 510 295 0667
About the ASC
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation co-founded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) in 2010 to manage the certification of responsible fish farming across the globe.
The ASC standards require farm performance to be measured against both environmental and social requirements. Certification is through an independent third party process and reports are uploaded to the public ASC website.
The on-pack ASC logo guarantees to consumers that the fish they purchase has been farmed with minimal impacts on the environment and on society.
For more information about ASC please visit www.asc-aqua.org.
About SCS Global Services (SCS)
SCS has been a global leader in third-party environmental, sustainability and food quality certification, auditing, testing and standards development for more than three decades. SCS programs span a wide cross-section of industry sectors, recognizing exemplary performance in natural resource management, green building, food and agriculture, and consumer products. SCS is a Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice. www.scsglobalservices.com
