A Cermaq farm during harvest. The company says it aims to drive progress on sustainability in the industry and the food sector as a whole.

High and lows in Cermaq sustainability report

Salmon and trout producer Cermaq’s newly released sustainability report for 2016 shows it has tripled the number of ASC certified fish farming sites from six to 18 during the 12-month period.

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The report also shows that 426 fish escaped Cermaq’s operations in 2016.

Cermaq integrated the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its corporate strategy last year and they form a central part of the framework for the annual sustainability report. From this year forward, the company’s performance on five focus areas is reported, where each area is linked to a specific SDG that Cermaq can significantly impact.

Wenche Grønbrekk, head of sustainability and risk in Cermaq Group, said: “Our sustainability report this year is centered on five concrete focus areas which are aligned with the SDGs, and through our reporting we present Cermaq’s approach to contribute to the realisation of the SDGs.”

The five SDGs that are presented in Cermaq's sustainability report are SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13: Climate action.

Partnerships needed

Grønbrekk added: “We have identified five of the 17 SDGs where we can truly make a difference. For each of these goals, we explain our approach and how salmon farming can positively contribute to achieving them.”

A statement from the company said: “As to Cermaq’s sustainability results in 2016, progress is made on several areas, including a tripling of the number of ASC certified sites from six to 18 during the year, with new certifications in all regions. The figures also show that it is necessary to continue to work hard on certain areas, including on fish escape management, where the target is zero escapes. A total of 426 fish escaped Cermaq’s operations in 2016. This is 426 too many, however the number should be related to the total of 45 million fish contained in the sea at all times.

Cermaq is the only seafood company to have quarterly sustainability reporting.

“Partnerships are needed to achieve the greatest impact. Cermaq’s partnerships span from the industry's cooperation to enhance sustainability (Global Salmon Initiative) to partnership with eight of the world’s largest seafood companies in the seafood sector (the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship initiative), to the wider food sector (eg FReSH initiative). Through these partnerships, Cermaq aims to drive progress on sustainability in the industry and the food sector as a whole.”

Cermaq is the only seafood company to have quarterly sustainability reporting. The 2016 sustainability report is Cermaq’s seventh Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report and is written in accordance with the new GRI Standards. As in previous years, the report has been externally audited.