Bendito Mar becomes first Mexican farm to join ASC Improver Programme. Mexico’s regenerative bivalve producer joins Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) initiative to advance environmental and social improvements in aquaculture

Bendito Mar, a Mexican cooperative of farmed bivalve molluscs in Baja California Sur, has joined the Improver Programme by ASC, becoming the first farm in Mexico to participate in an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP).

Based in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Bendito Mar is a cooperative dedicated to the regenerative cultivation of bivalve molluscs, including oysters, Catarina scallops, chocolate clams and pen shell. The cooperative was established in 2018 with a commitment to creating a positive impact on the ecosystem and communities where it operates.

Through its participation in the Improver Programme by ASC, Bendito Mar will start an AIP aimed at strengthening its environmental and social performance of its oyster production and progressing towards alignment with ASC requirements.

Patricia Bianchi, LATAM and Governance Manager at ASC, said, “We are delighted to welcome Bendito Mar as the first farm in Mexico to join the Improver Programme by ASC. Bendito Mar’s regenerative approach demonstrates the important role aquaculture can play in restoring ecosystems while providing nutritious food and creating opportunities for coastal communities.

“Their commitment to continuous improvement and responsible production makes them an excellent partner for the Improver Programme by ASC. We look forward to working alongside Bendito Mar as they strengthen their environmental and social practices and progress on their journey towards ASC certification.”

Alan Antonio Espinoza Gorozave, General Director of Bendito Mar, said:

“Discovering the ASC Improver Programme was a turning point for us. It showed us that the path to certification does not necessarily have to begin at the finish line. Instead, it offers a structured route that allows us to evaluate where we are today, identify the areas where we need to improve, build the right team and systems, and move forward step by step.”

“That is what makes this program so valuable to me. Responsible aquaculture is not only about producing seafood. It is about having the right people, processes, and culture to create positive environmental impact, maintain responsible practices, provide dignified working conditions, generate opportunities for coastal communities, strengthen traceability and transparency, and most importantly, commit to continuous improvement.

“We are deeply proud to be the first cooperative in Mexico to join the ASC Improver Programme. For us, it is not only recognition of what we have built so far, but also a responsibility to continue raising our standards and to show that Mexico can also build aquaculture models that are responsible, transparent, and capable of generating positive impact.”

Through its regenerative aquaculture approach, Bendito Mar aims to combine food production with the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems. Bendito Mar’s production model is designed to generate environmental as well as economic benefits. The farm highlights the natural capacity of oysters to filter water, while its cultivation practices contribute to biodiversity, water quality and carbon capture. The cooperative also focuses on creating local employment, providing training and supporting the development of coastal communities.

The farm’s commitment to regenerative aquaculture has already received national recognition. In 2026, Bendito Mar was awarded first place in the Rural Aquaculture category of Mexico’s National Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Award.

About the Improver Programme by ASC

The Improver Programme by ASC supports aquaculture producers that are not yet ready or eligible for ASC certification but are committed to improving their environmental and social performance. Through Aquaculture Improvement Projects, producers follow a structured improvement process designed to build capacity, address gaps and support progress towards improvement, or ASC certification. The programme is part of ASC’s broader effort to transform seafood farming and drive positive change across the sector.

About Bendito Mar

Bendito Mar is a Mexican cooperative dedicated to the regenerative cultivation of bivalve molluscs in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur. Founded in 2018, the cooperative cultivates oysters, Catarina scallops, chocolate clams and pen shell, combining seafood production with ecosystem restoration and community development. Its mission is to return more to the marine ecosystem than it takes, while providing high-quality seafood and supporting local communities.

Image: Bendito Mar Farm