ASC opens consultation on adding catfish to its farm certification programme

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has launched a 60-day public consultation on the potential inclusion of catfish in its Farm Standard. The process, which opened on 17 September, covers several catfish genera including Clarias, Heterobranchus, Ictalurus, Ameiurus and Silurus.

The ASC said the consultation will gather feedback on whether the existing ASC Farm Standard is suitable for catfish production and how it may need to be adapted to address the species’ specific characteristics.

"“The ASC Farm Standard offers a strong framework to address the impacts of catfish farming. Our research shows that many of the current requirements already work well for catfish, supporting their inclusion in ASC certification," said Michiel Fransen, ASC’s Director of Standards and Science. "At the same time, some specific measures – such as feed efficiency and fasting practices – need to be adapted to reflect the unique characteristics of this species and its farming systems."

“We’re especially looking for feedback on areas like sourcing, mortality limits, and fish health and welfare. The consultation process is vital to make sure the final requirements are not only scientifically robust but also practical and feasible for catfish farmers worldwide," Fransen added.

ASC said that expanding the scope of its standards will help meet growing market demand for responsibly-produced catfish in key countries while promoting more sustainable practices globally. Stakeholders can participate in the consultation through ASC’s website.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council launched its new Farm Standard in April 2025, consolidating multiple species-specific certification standards into a single, unified system. According to ASC, this new approach is designed to boost efficiency for producers, broaden accessibility, and improve accountability across the aquaculture sector.