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ASC Kicks Off National Seafood Month with ‘Certified Seafood Experience’ at Bamboo Sushi
October 8, 2025
Denver’s ‘Sea Green. Be Green.’ Preview Tasting Launches Responsibly Farmed Seafood Promotion
October marks National Seafood Month across North America. To celebrate, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Bamboo Sushi – the first certified sustainable sushi restaurant in the U.S. – have partnered on a promotion showcasing the benefits of responsibly farmed seafood and ASC’s sea green label with a brand new fish dish premiering in Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington.
Beginning Oct. 7, Bamboo Sushi will debut its menu’s newest star: ASC Kanpachi Carpaccio, featuring heirloom tomatoes, crispy capers, fresh herbs, aleppo pepper and lemon vinaigrette. The dish is made with ASC certified Hawaiian Kanpachi from Blue Ocean Mariculture, an offshore mariculture operation based in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the first finfish farm to become ASC certified in the U.S.
The signature dish headlines “The Certified Seafood Experience,” an initiative running Oct. 7-Nov. 2 that invites diners to learn more about responsibly farmed seafood and the ASC-Bamboo Sushi partnership. Through in-store education, digital content and storytelling, ASC and Bamboo Sushi will collaborate to help sushi lovers understand the value behind ASC’s program and how responsibly farmed seafood can support healthier oceans and food systems.
“ASC is thrilled to partner with two of aquaculture’s strongest advocates during seafood’s biggest month of the year,” said Athena Davis, Marketing Manager North America, ASC. “Our goal during National Seafood Month is to make waves in the minds and hearts of diners by expanding perspectives around farmed seafood. The introduction of this exciting new dish, along with in-restaurant and online education, influencer activations and collaborations among our certified partners are meant to excite and engage Bamboo Sushi diners in new and thoughtful ways. We hope to show just how important responsibly farmed seafood is for both people and planet, and why diners should choose ASC for change.”
Sept. 30 Preview Tasting at Bamboo Sushi Denver Launches Promotion
On Sept. 30, ASC and Bamboo Sushi hosted an intimate National Seafood Month preview tasting at what is now Bamboo Sushi’s original LoHi location. The restaurant expanded its Colorado footprint, opening a second location in Denver’s Congress Park in early 2025. More than 70 guests gathered to reel in a first taste of the soon-to-be-featured ASC Kanpachi Carpaccio.
While diners indulged, leaders of ASC, Bamboo Sushi and Blue Ocean Mariculture spoke on the key role farmed seafood plays in the future of food. The panel highlighted ASC’s dedication to implementing the world’s strictest standards in seafood farming and why this matters for farmers, chefs and seafood lovers around the world. ASC’s Athena Davis helped bring the story to life through a series of conversations highlighting the farm to fork journey of responsibly farmed seafood.
“When you think of farmed seafood, you probably aren’t envisioning what we have cultivated at Blue Ocean Mariculture,” said Howard Porter III, National Sales Manager, Blue Ocean Mariculture. “But that’s exactly why we work with groups like ASC and Bamboo Sushi. We can show diners exactly how our extraordinary Hawaiian Kanpachi are raised in Kona’s clear blue waters, in submersible sea pens, with some of the most innovative practices in the industry. This translates to a clean, fresh, incredible quality fish that is perfect for world-class sushi applications.”
Bamboo Sushi, which has 10 restaurants in four states and two new locations opening soon in Bend, Oregon, and Kirkland, Washington, consistently spotlights its sustainable and responsible seafood selections. During National Seafood Month, all locations will feature Blue Ocean Mariculture’s ASC certified Hawaiian Kanpachi Carpaccio dish.
“When people hear ‘farm to fork’ they don’t always think of seafood. We’re working to change that,” said Elijah Lehrer, VP of Operations, Bamboo Sushi. “Responsible seafood farming is the future of food – it’s what’s going to keep us fed with high-quality, specialty fish while ensuring that our oceans and wild fish populations continue to thrive. When you come to Bamboo Sushi you can expect top-tier ingredients and great hospitality – but guests can also dive deeper to learn about sustainability, superior flavor, and why ASC certification is so important when it comes to farmed seafood.”
