Conversations at the sustainable seafood table

Meaningful dialogue around responsible seafood farming inspires better practices for a growing world.

This past year was an exciting one for ASC North America, as we dove into important discussions in the sustainable seafood space. In November, ASC presented at the Terroir Symposium in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At the symposium, over 400 chefs, culinary experts, entrepreneurs, foodies and storytellers from around the world gathered to learn and share their experience and expertise.

In March, ASC teamed up with Food Tank to host a panel at their All Things Food Summit at SXSW in Austin, TX. “Can Seafood Be Sustainable” panelists included ASC’s CEO Chris Ninnes, New Season Market’s Daisy Berg and Sushi Maki’s Abe Ng. The panel occurred during the popular SXSW festival, one of the nation’s largest gatherings for food, tech, music and entertainment. The important conversations had at these events reflect the larger dialogue around sustainability and the important role that farmed seafood plays in the future of food.

“Can Seafood Be Sustainable?” Panel (photo by Food Tank and Silver Art Photography)

The changing tide of seafood farming

The practice of seafood farming, also known as aquaculture, has been around for thousands of years. Propelled by centuries of industrial advancements, methods of seafood farming have grown to feed a much larger population. “Over 3 billion people rely on seafood consumption worldwide. Close to 60% of all seafood eaten is farm raised and that number is only growing,” ASC’s Marketing Manager North America, Athena Davis, announced during her presentation at the Terroir Symposium in early November.

Globally, over 20 million people are involved in seafood farming with another 7.5 million with jobs in hatcheries, feed production, processing and retail. The aquaculture sector is a major contributor to people’s lives and communities.

Terroir Symposium and ASC North America’s Athena Davis (photo by Julia Murray Photography)

The modernization of farming methods and use of technology have elevated the industry, along with the passion farmers have in the realm of sustainability. “ASC envisions a world where seafood farming plays a major role in supplying food and supporting local communities across the globe while minimizing negative impacts on the environment,” said Davis. “Every ASC certified farm and every ASC labeled product gets us closer to achieving this vision and makes a difference to our overall impact. I hope you will consider looking for the label when shopping and asking for it when sourcing farmed seafood. Having strong assurances in place through certification is the best way to manage and advance this industry we all depend upon in some way.”

That’s why ASC sets the world’s strictest standards for seafood farming, and why seafood experts are taking note.

ASC certified farm

Responsible aquaculture as a means for a better planet

It’s vital to look for the ASC label when you shop, but that can only happen if seafood buyers and managers in the retail space understand the value behind ASC’s sea green label and stock or source ASC labeled products from certified farms. These conversations are therefore essential to both shoppers and the people behind the aisles.

In 2016, Daisy Berg, Seafood Category Manager for New Seasons Market, began doing research to see if quality, responsibly farmed seafood products were actually out there. Berg shared her story on diving into responsibly farmed seafood at Food Tank’s All Things Food Summit.

Daisy Berg speaking at the Food Tank panel (photo by Food Tank and Silver Art Photography)

“I basically said, ‘Look I’m going to put in my due diligence. I’m going to look for a farm but if it doesn’t fit our criteria, I’m moving on and we’re not having this conversation again. Then I had those conversations with [farmed seafood] producers, and I was blown away. The innovations in farmed seafood were massive. There were changes in the way that they were raising the fish, there were changes in the feed, there were changes in the marine components that went into the feed so that there were less wild fish…to help grow these really nice healthy fish.”

To say she was pleasantly surprised by what she found would be an understatement. Berg’s discoveries changed the trajectory of New Seasons Market’s sourcing policy, allowing for more certified, responsible seafood to be available to their dedicated shoppers. It also provided amazing learning opportunities for New Seasons’ team members and customers about the benefits that responsibly farmed seafood can offer to them, the planet and even wild fish populations who are at risk due to overfishing.

Riverence Provisions, ASC certified farm

“Sea-ing” green in the seafood aisle: Why shoppers and diners look for ASC’s label

It’s important to shop at supermarkets and grocery stores that value sustainability and responsible sourcing. However, as grocery store shelves populate with more options and eco-labels, it can be overwhelming to know what to look for when you shop. Reliable certification is vital to ensure you know what you’re eating, where it is from and how it was raised. That’s why it’s important to look for ASC’s sea green label when you shop for seafood. ASC sets the world’s highest standards in seafood farming as our standards address environmental and social impacts along with increased traceability.

If you’re new to the seafood space, or just in need of guidance, “please, let a fishmonger help you,” says Berg. “Go and create a relationship with somebody behind the counter or at a restaurant to help you navigate how intimidating and confusing it can be…the goal is to have you eat more seafood.”

ASC labeled products at Target

More of a diner than a shopper? You can find ASC certified and labeled seafood in the restaurant sector as well. Let’s visit Miami, where the fast casual sushi chain Sushi Maki was founded in 2000 by CEO Abe Ng. Sushi Maki is the first sushi chain in North America to achieve ASC certification, which is a major accomplishment. Now Sushi Maki has restaurants located across southern Florida, at major universities, the Miami Airport and Market Stations at Whole Foods.

Ng joined ASC’s “Can Seafood be Sustainable?” panel alongside Ninnes and Berg at the All Things Food Summit SXSW to weigh in on his own experience eating, sourcing and hiring around seafood as a successful restauranteur. As one could guess, Ng is a champion of responsibly farmed and fished seafood throughout every facet of his business. “We have 300 team members, and one way we justify [the ASC certification] to ourselves is that this serves as a differentiator for us to attract and retain fantastic frontline team members,” Ng said during the panel in March.

Ng mentioned that amid team member onboarding, new employees lean in when the topic of Sushi Maki’s commitment to sustainability comes up. “That’s where the magic happens – at the table or at the counter – when somebody says our sushi not only tastes great, but it is also sustainable.”

Sushi Maki and the ASC Poke Bowl

Being a part of the responsible seafood story

It’s essential for leaders in the seafood industry to have these open conversations, and it’s also important to feel empowered to make the responsible choice for yourself.

“Done right, farmed seafood is not only a necessity – it should be a staple of how we think about producing a much more climate-friendly protein,” stated Chris Ninnes, founder and CEO of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Aquaculture can play a vital role in satisfying the global need for sustainable food and relieving the burden on our ocean’s limited and precious wild fish populations. But it must be done responsibly.

We all know seafood has major health benefits and is a crucial source of protein for people around the world. Knowing your seafood was raised responsibly means your favorite healthy, tasty seafood can also have positive impacts on the world around you.

Smoked salmon and goat cheese crostini

The best way to dive into responsibly farmed seafood? Look for the ASC label, then try out delicious, easy recipes like salmon and goat cheese crostini and many more ways to “Sea Green. Be Green.” at our recipes page. Learn all about what’s behind the ASC label, our standards and impacts here. Of course, stay up to date with all things ASC and be a part of the dialogue on Instagram @asc.usa.