AGRIMINGOLD farms shrimp in Estero Chivería, in Ecuador’s El Oro province.
Photo: AGRIMINGOLD / Marea Rosa / Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
Ecuadorian shrimp producer AGRIMINGOLD S.A. has become the first farm in the country to progress from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s Improver Programme to full ASC certification.
The company received certification on 29 July following an independent audit by Bureau Veritas, according to the ASC. AGRIMINGOLD joined the Improver Programme in March 2025, the first Ecuadorian shrimp farm to do so, and completed the whole certification process over a period of just 16 months.
The company operates in Estero Chivería, in Ecuador’s El Oro province, where it produces around 1.7 million pounds of shrimp each year across 118 hectares of production area.
The ASC states that its Improver Programme is aimed at aquaculture farms that are not yet ready to undergo certification, providing a structured framework for producers to identify gaps, make measurable improvements and prepare for an independent assessment against the ASC Standard.
According to the ASC, changes made at AGRIMINIGOLD during the programme included improved feed efficiency, an 18% rise in production, job creation and increased opportunities for women in leadership and shrimp production.
The certification body also highlighted environmental measures taken at the farm, including the protection of 126.63 hectares of existing mangrove forest and the restoration of a further 18.12 hectares. This brings the area of mangrove and coastal habitat covered by the measures to 144.75 hectares, ASC said.
AGRIMINGOLD’s certification process also coincided with the participation of its women-led premium shrimp brand, Marea Rosa, in Hatch Blue’s Women in Ocean Food programme in La Paz, Baja California Sur, in early 2025. The programme, sponsored by ASC, is designed to support women working in leadership roles within the aquaculture sector.
“Our journey towards ASC certification began with a commitment to learn, improve and build a more responsible future for our farm," said CEO Annabell Palacios.
“This achievement demonstrates that the ASC Improver Programme is fulfilling its purpose: building local capacity and providing producers with a structured and credible pathway to achieve ASC certification through continuous improvement," said Patricia Bianchi, Aquaculture Improvement Projects and Governance Manager at ASC.
"AGRIMINGOLD’s successful transition from the Improver Programme to ASC certification in Ecuador provides tangible evidence that the programme works in practice. It highlights the value of establishing clear improvement objectives, implementing measurable changes and independently verifying progress," she said, adding, “We hope this achievement will encourage more producers to participate in the programme and take the next step towards responsible aquaculture.”
AGRIMINGOLD CEO and Marea Rosa founder Annabell Palacios said the company had used the process to strengthen its operational practices and internal capabilities.
“Our journey towards ASC certification began with a commitment to learn, improve and build a more responsible future for our farm. Through the ASC Improver Programme and our participation in Hatch Blue’s Women in Ocean Food programme with Marea Rosa, our purpose-driven shrimp project, we strengthened our knowledge, leadership and operational practices, creating a solid foundation for continuous improvement," Palacios explained.
“ASC certification recognises the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It demonstrates that, with commitment and the right support, it is possible to strengthen our shrimp production while advancing environmental, social and labour responsibility," she added.