Bivalve cooperative becomes first in Mexico to join ASC improver programme
A Mexican cooperative of bivalve mollusc farmers in Baja California Sur has become the first farming operation in Mexico to participate in an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) run by sustainable aquaculture accreditation body the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Based in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Bendito Mar is a cooperative dedicated to the regenerative cultivation of bivalve molluscs, including oysters, Catarina scallops, chocolate clams, and pen shell. The cooperative was established in 2018 with a commitment to creating a positive impact on the ecosystem and communities where it operates.
Bendito Mar will start an AIP aimed at strengthening its environmental and social performance of its oyster production and progressing towards alignment with ASC requirements.
An excellent partner
Patricia Bianchi, Latin America and governance manager at ASC, said Bendito Mar’s regenerative approach and commitment to continuous improvement and responsible production makes it an excellent partner for the improver programme.
Alan Antonio Espinoza Gorozave, general director of Bendito Mar, said: “Discovering the ASC improver programme was a turning point for us. It showed us that the path to certification does not necessarily have to begin at the finish line. Instead, it offers a structured route that allows us to evaluate where we are today, identify the areas where we need to improve, build the right team and systems, and move forward step by step.
Discovering the ASC improver programme was a turning point for us. It showed us that the path to certification does not necessarily have to begin at the finish line.
“That is what makes this programme so valuable to me. Responsible aquaculture is not only about producing seafood. It is about having the right people, processes, and culture to create positive environmental impact, maintain responsible practices, provide dignified working conditions, generate opportunities for coastal communities, strengthen traceability and transparency, and most importantly, commit to continuous improvement.
“We are deeply proud to be the first cooperative in Mexico to join the ASC improver programme. For us, it is not only recognition of what we have built so far, but also a responsibility to continue raising our standards and to show that Mexico can also build aquaculture models that are responsible, transparent, and capable of generating positive impact.”
Through its regenerative aquaculture approach, Bendito Mar aims to combine food production with the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems. Its production model is designed to generate environmental as well as economic benefits. The farm highlights the natural capacity of oysters to filter water, while its cultivation practices contribute to biodiversity, water quality and carbon capture. The cooperative also focuses on creating local employment, providing training and supporting the development of coastal communities.
The farm’s commitment to regenerative aquaculture has already received national recognition. In 2026, Bendito Mar was awarded first place in the Rural Aquaculture category of Mexico’s National Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Award.
