Farmed salmon industry launches sustainability initiative

The global farmed salmon industry has launched a major industry-led sustainability initiative. 

The Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) unites 15 global farmed salmon producers committed to greater industry cooperation and transparency, in order to achieve significant and continuous progress in industry sustainability.

Together, these 15 companies represent 70 percent the global salmon industry, meaning the initiative could have a real impact on salmon aquaculture.

The major salmon producing countries of Chile, Norway, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Canada are all represented in the GSI.

Alfonso Marquéz de la Plata, chair of the GSI standards committee and CEO of Empresas AquaChile S.A., Chile, said, “We cannot choose between a healthy environment and healthy food, we need both. This initiative is a practical approach to achieving both. While meeting the standard at a global level will be a significant challenge, this is a major commitment from the salmon farming industry and we hope that through GSI collaboration, we can get there together.”

English: Atlantic salmon. Salmo salar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The GSI will achieve its aim through global collaboration and research, pooling of resources and sharing knowledge. 

Currently the GSI is focusing on biosecurity, feed and nutrition and meeting industry standards.  

The GSI has chosen the Aquaculture Stewarship Council (ASC) as its accreditation body and aims to have all its members meet the ASC Salmon Standard by 2020. This ties in with ASC plans to launch a certified salmon to the market in early 2014.

Chris Ninnes, chief executive, ASC said, “I am delighted that GSI has committed to meet ASC’s salmon standard. Fish is a high quality protein food and the sector makes a significant and growing contribution to world food security. Salmon is farmed on a worldwide scale with nearly two thirds of all the salmon consumed coming from farms. Given the anticipated farmed sector growth it is very important that the industry manages its aquaculture practices responsibly.”

The initiative has been warmly welcomed by the aquaculture industry. Mary Ellen Walling, executive director, British Columbia Salmon Farmers’ Association, Canada said, “This initiative recognises that there is no limit to how sustainable you can be. You don’t reach the highest level and stop; there is always room for improvement, always more you can learn. This collaboration will benefit the industry in BC and around the world.”

GSI member companies include Acuinova Chile; Bakkafrost; Blumar; Cermaq; Compañía Pesquera Camanchaca; Empresas AquaChile; Grieg Seafood; Lerøy Seafood Group; Los Fiordos; Marine Harvest; Norway Royal Salmon; SalMar; Multiexport Foods SA; The Scottish Salmon Company; Scottish Sea Farms. 

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