Acme Smoked Fish joins Sea Pact; ASC announces shrimp traceability project

SeafoodSource is closely following the sustainable seafood movement by compiling a regular round-up of sector updates pertaining to eco-certifications.

-The Marine Stewardship Council announced on 15 May that the Great Salt Lake brine shrimp fishery in the U.S. state of Utah has achieved MSC certification. A producer of the species used in the well-known Sea-Monkeys toy. It is the first inland fishery in the United States to earn this certification, The fishery went through an eight-month assessment by a third-party certifier. 

"Great Salt Lake brine shrimp fishery's achievement of MSC certification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local fishermen, who have been practicing sustainable fishing for generations," MSC U.S. Program Director said Nicole Condon said in a release. “By earning this certification, the fishery is demonstrating their commitment to the long-term health of the lake's ecosystem and the communities that depend on it." 

- The Aquaculture Stewardship Council announced on 24 May its digital traceability for shrimp through its Key Data Elements Project. The project aims to improve the visibility of its certified shrimp products by publishing their route to market and by providing retailers with a higher level of program assurance through farm and supply chain transparency. 

“We are very excited to pioneer digital traceability within the global seafood farming sector starting with our work on shrimp through the KDE Project. This is a huge part of ASC’s continuous efforts to increase integrity and assurance for ASC-certified and labeled shrimp products as they move through the supply chain. The data transmitted digitally ensures not only transparency and traceability across the supply chain but the ability to also attach other product information of value to the end buyer. This tool gives all stages in the supply chain a better understanding of the origin of the products they are purchasing. We will also be exploring in the future how this tool can bring additional value to our customers.” 

- On 17 May, the Global Seafood Alliance released its final report "What Is The Expectation of Worker Voice and Grievance Mechanisms on Certified Vessels?" In it, GSA recommends safe, fast access to appropriate grievance mechanisms, and robust transparency initiatives for worker voice mechanisms be recognized as  best practice onboard fishing vessels.

“While there is strong consensus on the importance of good worker voice and a grievance mechanism process for the fishing crew – and the expectation that they are in place on vessels working at best practice – there is little or no guidance as to how to build and operate quality mechanisms,” GSA Director of Strategic Engagements Melanie Siggs said.

- Brooklyn, New York-based Acme Smoked Fish announced on 23 May it has joined Sea Pact, the North American seafood sustainability organization.

“We are thrilled to join Sea Pact and align our sustainability strategies with an incredible group of committed members,” Acme Smoked Fish Rob Snyder Chief People and Sustainability Officer said. “While we continue to support sustainability initiatives through our Seafood Industry Climate Awards in the U.S. and Chile, we look forward to scaling up and backing more global seafood projects focused on environmental responsibility through our partnership.”

“Acme Smoked Fish’s own sustainability efforts, from their climate awards to their sustainable seafood policy, demonstrate their strong commitment to responsible seafood and make them a natural fit for Sea Pact membership,” Sea Pact Executive Director Sam Grimley said in a release. “We are excited to have them join the collaboration and contribute to Sea Pact’s joint sustainability efforts and project funding program.”

- The Aquaculture Stewardship Council kicked off its Summer Seafood Series on 17 May. The series will be held in Washington D.C., U.S.A. working in collaboration with Riverence Provisions and Washington D.C.’s Congressional Seafood to host the "Sea Green. Be Green. The Certified Seafood Experience." 

“As we ask the public to join us on this journey of what’s new and next in aquaculture, it’s important to acknowledge how far the industry has come,” ASC North America Managing Manager Athena Davis said. “[The] event was the perfect way to kick off our summer seafood series in D.C. by bringing together Congressional Seafood – ASC’s partner and program supporter for over a decade – with the newly certified Riverence Farms for a tasteful, trout-filled evening. ASC recognizes the value and effort the Congressional has brought to ensuring that seafood lovers in the D.C. area have greater access to sustainable options, while Riverence represents the growing number of seafood farmers who value transparency, traceability, and care just as much as the people who buy and eat their fish.”

- Pollenca, Spain-based Oliver Food Service it now sources all its seafood Best Aquaculture Practices- and Best Seafood Practices--certified producers, the Global Seafood Alliance announced on 25 April.

“I’m optimistic and very happy to see that in Spain, companies like Oliver Food Service are becoming aware of the importance of seeking quality certified products, thus contributing their grain of sand to the future of fishing and aquaculture in the world,” BSP and BAP Spain Representative Irene Padovano​ said.

Photo courtesy of Ton Bangkeaw/Shutterstock