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Atlantic Cod Joins ASC Certification Program
September 24, 2025
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has officially launched Atlantic cod into its program on Oct. 13, 2025, following a successful stakeholder consultation. Over a 30-day period from May 20 – June 20, 2025 ASC received valuable input from various stakeholders, including Atlantic cod producers.
Stakeholders shared both data-driven feedback and detailed comments, signaling strong support for bringing this important species into the ASC program.
Chris Ninnes, CEO of ASC, said, “We are delighted to officially welcome Atlantic cod into the ASC Certification Program. This launch is not only a milestone for responsible aquaculture but also a testament to the valuable input we received from stakeholders throughout the consultation process. Their expertise and feedback have been essential in ensuring the standard reflects the realities of cod farming while upholding the highest environmental and social benchmarks. Together, we are helping build a future where cod aquaculture can thrive responsibly.”
The majority of consultation responses came from Norway, the primary focus region for the consultation. While there are currently a small number of cod producers in Norway, integrating cod into the ASC Salmon Standard will provide them—and existing salmon farmers—with a new pathway to bring ASC certified cod to market. Beyond Norway, cod certification could also attract interest from producers in Iceland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, the wider Nordics and Canada, particularly given recent reductions in wild cod quotas.
“We welcome the inclusion of Atlantic cod in the ASC Certification Program,” said Tor Olav Seim, Head of Business Development & Founder of Ode, the largest Atlantic cod producer in Norway.
“This gives us a clear pathway to meet market demand for responsibly farmed cod and aligns our practices with global sustainability standards. It’s an exciting opportunity to grow our business while promoting environmental responsibility and high welfare standards in cod farming.”
What happens next?
Atlantic cod has been added to the ASC Certification Program, initially through a modified ASC Salmon Standard, to enable immediate access to certification. Following a two-year transition period, cod will be fully integrated into the new ASC Farm Standard V1.1, giving farmers time to adapt to new requirements.
Many criteria in the ASC Salmon Standard are directly relevant to cod, making the species a logical addition. The program will address key sustainability issues, including biodiversity loss, ecosystem impacts, disease management, and resource use, ensuring responsible and sustainable cod farming that will increase options for a growing U.S. appetite.
No change for salmon producers
The revised standard introduces cod alongside salmon without altering existing requirements for salmon producers. Cod farms will initially be assessed against a modified ASC Salmon Standard, enabling rapid access to certification.
Two-year transition to ASC Farm Standard
Atlantic Cod has been added to the scope of the ASC Salmon Standard initially, allowing cod farmers the same transition period to the new Farm Standard as existing certified producers. After the two-year transition period, Atlantic cod will be fully integrated into the ASC Farm Standard. Because salmon and cod farming practices are similar in many aspects, the Salmon Standard ensures a smooth and practical pathway to certification. The program addresses core sustainability issues such as biodiversity protection, disease management, resource efficiency, and ecosystem impacts.