ASC Nordic Awards Recognize Leaders in Responsible Seafood Farming
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) recently held its first-ever Nordic Awards during the Nordic Seafood Summit in Göteborg, Sweden, on January 22. These awards aim to celebrate the exceptional efforts of ASC certified partners in the Nordic region who have shown leadership and innovation in responsible aquaculture practices, contributing to a sustainable seafood industry.
Recognizing Excellence in Seafood Farming
The ASC Nordic Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in three categories: Producer of the Year, Retailer of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year.
Producer of the Year: Cermaq received this award for its groundbreaking iFarm project, while IKEA was honored as the Retailer of the Year for its commitment to selling ASC certified salmon. Nordic Trout Sverige was recognized as the Newcomer of the Year for becoming the first ASC certified farm in Sweden.
Laetitia Rosing, ASC Nordics Regional Manager, emphasized the importance of these awards in recognizing the diverse stakeholders in the seafood industry and the significant progress made towards sustainability in the Nordic market.
She stated, “The ASC Nordic Awards highlight the remarkable work and initiatives undertaken by our partners, showcasing the entire value chain in action. The growth in ASC certification and the uptake of ASC-labelled products in the Nordics reflect the industry’s commitment to driving positive change in responsible seafood farming.”
Currently, global salmon production stands at 2.5 million metric tonnes, with Norway accounting for half of this volume, 40% of which is ASC certified.
ASC CEO Chris Ninnes commended the winners for their dedication to advancing responsible seafood farming practices, highlighting the critical role of sustainable seafood in ensuring global food security and environmental preservation.
Producer of the Year: Cermaq
Cermaq was awarded the ASC Producer of the Year for its innovative iFarm project, which utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance fish health and welfare while reducing environmental impact. The project’s focus on sustainability, fish welfare, and profitability aligns closely with the ASC’s mission of promoting aquaculture improvement.
Kristin Hurum, Director of Sustainability, Quality, and HR at Cermaq Norway, expressed pride in receiving the award and emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable aquaculture practices.
Retailer of the Year: IKEA
IKEA was honored as the ASC Nordic Retailer of the Year for its early commitment to exclusively selling ASC certified salmon and ensuring traceability certification for IKEA Restaurants. The company’s dedication to offering responsibly produced seafood to customers worldwide was acknowledged by Karin van Oost, Sustainability Leader Food, Inter IKEA Group.
Josefina Söderlund Svahn, country commercial food manager at IKEA Svenska Försäljnings AB, emphasized the collective impact that can be achieved through sustainable sourcing practices.
Newcomer of the Year: Nordic Trout Sverige
Nordic Trout Sverige received the ASC Newcomer of the Year award for establishing the first ASC certified facility in Sweden. The company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible fish farming was highlighted by Jussi Kosomaa, Chief Business Officer at Nordic Trout.
He stated, “This award recognizes the hard work of our staff and marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey towards establishing Swedish-farmed rainbow trout as a staple food for consumers.”
