ASC is especially interested in hearing the views of Norwegian stakeholders.
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The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has opened a public consultation to propose the inclusion of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in its certification and labelling programme.
The organization has decided to take this initiative as wild-caught cod quotas continue to decline, while market demand keeps increasing. In addition, ASC is especially interested in hearing the views of stakeholders from Norway.
"Including cod in the ASC certification programme is a significant step forward to meet market demand while promoting responsible practices in the sector. It reflects our continued commitment to drive meaningful change in the seafood farming industry," ASC Chief Commercial Officer Willem de Bruijn assured.
The consultation will review key areas such as the Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR), sea lice indicators, and the impact of fingerling suppliers.
First, Atlantic cod will be included within the scope of the ASC Salmon Standard v1.4. Following a transition period, it will be incorporated into the ASC Farm Standard, with compliance expected to become mandatory from May 2027. This approach aims to give producers time to adapt to the new requirements.
ASC formally launched the Farm Standard Seafood Expo Global 2025, held in Barcelona. This new certification is designed to boost efficiency for producers, broaden accessibility, and improve accountability across the aquaculture sector.
"Thanks to the similarities between cod and salmon farming, by making this addition to the ASC Salmon Standard we are able to address growing demand quickly and bring cod farmers into the ASC programme now, in advance of their adoption of the ASC Farm Standard," ASC Director of Standards and Science Michiel Fransen explained.
