First Ecuadorian Shrimp Farm Joins the Improver Program by ASC

AGRIMINGOLD S.A. becomes the first shrimp farm in Ecuador to participate in an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) under the Improver Program by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). The AIP covers 334 acres of Pacific white shrimp farm in El Oro Province, Ecuador. AGRIMINGOLD S.A. produces 830 tons of shrimp annually. 

The Improver Program by ASC supports farms which are not ready or eligible for ASC certification but are committed to improving their farming practices. The combined impact of these many small changes in non-certified seafood farming contributes to the ASC goal of transforming seafood farming, as a whole, for the future.

Patricia Bianchi, AIP and Governance Manager at ASC said, “We are proud to welcome AGRIMINGOLD S.A., and its brand MAREAROSA, as the first Latin America producer to join the Improver Program by ASC. Their commitment to positive change and enhancing environmental and social practices reflects the proactive spirit we aim to foster through this initiative.  

“We look forward to supporting AGRIMINGOLD S.A./MAREAROSA on their journey towards greater sustainability, social responsibility and, eventually, ASC certification.” 

AGRIMINGOLD S.A. CEO Annabell Palacios said, “Our participation in the AIP represents a fundamental milestone in our firm purpose towards environmental sustainability and a solid social responsibility. We want to make a significant contribution to the protection of the environment and the wellbeing of the sector, especially vulnerable communities. 

“We are excited to be a part of this initiative, and we are committed to working hard to achieve our goals.” For more information visit MAREAROSA’s webpage. 

About the Improver Program by ASC 

ASC already drives change and supports improvements in seafood farming at scale across the world through its certification program. For those not ASC certified, the Improver Program by ASC supports farms who are not ready or eligible for ASC certification but are committed to improving their farming practices through an AIP. The combined impact of these many small changes in non-certified seafood farming contribute to the ASC goal of transforming seafood farming, as a whole, for the future.

The Improver Program (ASC IP) comprises a set of procedures and tools to ensure that improvements are consistently and effectively implemented by producers in the form of Aquaculture Improvement Projects (AIP).   

Currently, there are 17 active AIPs in the shrimp sector across Ecuador (1), Kenya (1), Bangladesh (1), Indonesia (2), and Thailand (12). For a list of companies in the Improver Program by ASC, visit this website.