ASC offers cod farmers a fast track to certification
Producers will be able to use Salmon Standard until May 2027
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has launched a 30-day public consultation on the inclusion of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) within the ASC certification and labelling programme.
To enable quick access to ASC certification, Atlantic cod will initially be added to the scope of the ASC’s Salmon Standard (version 1.4). Cod farming will then be incorporated into the ASC Farm Standard, following a transition period until the Farm Standard becomes the mandatory option from May 2027 onwards. ASC said this gives cod farmers the same time to adapt to updated requirements as those farming other species.
As quotas for wild-caught cod continue to decline, and market demand grows, farmed Atlantic cod is playing an increasingly important role in meeting global demand. In the first quarter of this year, farmed cod accounted for 28% of the NOK 312 million value of fresh cod exported by Norway - the highest export volume of farmed cod ever in a single quarter.
Including cod is a significant step forward to meet market demand while promoting responsible practices
ASC chief commercial officer
Willem de Bruijn
Market demand
ASC chief commercial officer Willem de Bruijn said: “Including cod in the ASC certification programme is a significant step forward to meet market demand while promoting responsible practices in the sector. It reflects our continued commitment to drive meaningful change in the seafood farming industry.”
Atlantic cod farming practices share many similarities with salmon farming including production systems and rearing conditions. The core principles guiding salmonid farming are also relevant to Atlantic cod while environmental impacts - such as fishmeal and fish oil dependency - are comparable across both species.
In Norway, both species are governed by the same strict regulations, ensuring consistent environmental and operational practices.
Key areas
The consultation seeks to gather insights on the specific environmental and social impacts of farming Atlantic cod and to evaluate whether any additional considerations are needed for its inclusion under ASC Salmon Standard v1.4.
Key specific areas to be explored during the consultation include Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) metrics, lice indicators, the impact of juvenile fish suppliers, and any additional metrics that could enhance the assessment of Atlantic cod farming. Cod can be parasitised by the cod louse, Caligus curtus, and by Caligus elongatus, which is also found on salmon and other fish sepcies.
ASC standards and science director Michiel Fransen said: “Thanks to the similarities between cod and salmon farming, by making this addition to the ASC Salmon Standard we are able to address growing demand quickly and bring cod farmers into the ASC programme now, in advance of their adoption of the ASC Farm Standard.”
While responses from around the world are welcome, ASC is particularly interested in hearing the views of stakeholders from Norway. Click here for more information about the Atlantic cod consultation and to access the consultation.
