ASC: Transforming global aquaculture towards sustainability

In the past 40 years, it is estimated that a quarter of Ecuador’s vital mangrove habitat has been destroyed. Some shrimp farmers have cleared mangrove forest because it offers an ideal location to create ponds for raising shrimp. The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is on a mission to transform the world’s fish farms towards environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Currently more than half of the seafood we consume around the globe comes from fish farming, known as aquaculture. It is fundamental to providing nutritious protein to billions of people and to remove the pressure on wild ocean stocks. Aquaculture is needed to feed a hungry world and when done responsibly, farmed seafood can make a positive and lasting change. The ASC standards and certification programme aligns with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals –  limiting harm to the environment, providing livelihoods to millions of men and women and achieving a lower climate footprint than most other farming methods. The ASC works together with scientists, consumers, conservation groups, producers and retailers to set strict requirements that ensure the environment is protected, workers are treated fairly and their surrounding communities are protected and empowered.

This film, made in collaboration with the World Ocean Council, highlights the work of the ASC and Omarsa, one of Ecuador’s largest shrimp producers. Omarsa became the world’s first shrimp farm to earn ASC certification in 2014, blazing the trail for others on the journey towards sustainability. Omarsa, with the support of the ASC, has reforested 98h of mangrove forest on their farms, a habitat vital for flourishing biodiversity, clean water and healthy oceans. Together, the ASC and Omarsa are proud to be Ocean Titans.