Label Mouse says:
ASC focusses on farmed fish and aquaculture rather than the more wild-caught focussed MSC. Currently, standards vary depending on species but include showing minimal impact on surrounding areas, that pollution from the farm is managed and that fish feed is responsibly sourced.
Taking a look at Salmon, an ASC farm must not damage the local eco system, must minimise (but not eradicate) the use of wild fish as food for the Salmon, must maintain a 'good' or 'very good' water quality (as managed by the EU) and must maintain low levels of parasites and unexpected mortality.
Check the ASC's official site for details on the regulation for each one as its very detailed. The 17 species covered are: Abalone, Bivalve, Flatfish, Freshwater trout, Pangasius, Salmon, Seabass (Seabream & Meagre), Seriola & Cobia, Shrimp, Tilapia and - the somewhat wide - Tropical marine fish.
All ASC certified farms must pay decent wage and have regulated working hours. However the term 'decent' is up to interpretation.
They promise:
A set of strict requirements for responsible farming, which encourage seafood producers to minimise the key environmental and social impacts of aquaculture. The ASC has been gathering data since 2012.
It's a complex set of eleven ASC standards covering 17 species groups (best to read the official docs on this one) and a joint ASC-MSC standard for seaweed.
ASC certification imposes requirements based on the International Labour Organisation, including prohibiting the use of child labour or any form of forced labour.
There are a lot of food labels out there, but its pretty unclear what they mean.
With the UK leaving the EU we're able to define our own regulations on how our food is produced, the impact on the environment and how the animals involved are cared for. This could be a good or a bad thing. The extra player in the mix is that brands are introducing their own schemes which can appear more eco-friendly than they actually are.
Label Mouse does the research to help you make more informed buying choices. Hope it's useful.
Suggestions and support welcome!
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