Membership Report ANTHONY MCCONNON Membership and Corporate Relations Manager
Salmon is an important protein for our members. The fact that it’s a Tasmanian product means that customers, especially those from interstate and overseas, expect to see it on the menu. But salmon farming and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) are hot topics at the moment. There is debate across mainstream media, as well as in the social media space. There are some fairly extreme views out there which have led our members to ask questions about the industry. So we decided it was time to find out! Duncan Leadbitter, head of ASC Australia was in town so we took the opportunity to invite him in to get an understanding. Duncan explains that all three of the Salmon businesses in Tasmania actively pursue ASC certification, with both Petuna and Tassal having 100% of their sites either certified or in assessment. So what actually is the ASC? It’s a global body that administers a set of standards that, if followed by seafood farmers, means they get certified and can use the ASC logo. The principle is that by promoting better managed fish farming, demand for seafood can be maintained while minimising negative environmental and social impacts. Duncan explains that the seafood companies don’t pay ASC directly.
All the information is gathered by third party auditors who must compare company and independent science reports, consult with the community and government. The main focus is on environmental performance, social acceptance and ensuring that fish health is looked after. The auditor then determines whether the farms meet the ASC Standard and issues a certificate of compliance. Heidi Hansen, Tassal Certification and Sustainability Manager, facilitates the ASC process for Tassal across the business. She explains every single employee is involved at some level. “To achieve the certification, 154 compliance points must be met across seven core principle areas – everything from social, environmental to smolt production and transportation. Certification lasts three years, with annual surveillance audits. To achieve ASC all companies must go above and beyond usual reporting standards to the most transparent levels,” she said. In 2014 Tassal became the first salmon company in the world to achieve ASC certification across all its operations. Today it maintains all its harvest stock as ASC certified and this includes two of three leases Macquarie Harbour. One lease is being fallowed (and can’t be certified) whilst the other two were recently recertified. Petuna has also gained 100% ASC compliance across all of its leases. David Wood, Petuna’s Acting CEO, recently explained. “ASC is important for our business in two ways: first on a business level, as retailers and consumers demand salmon that is certified; but also from a company perspective as every employee is now focused on maintaining ASC.” Heidi agrees, “We are definitely driven! Next time you source salmon, look for the ASC tick of approval and take comfort
in the breadth of work that goes into achieving that; the level of care and quality control in place; advanced traceability and the highest levels of sustainable reporting globally.”
October 2017 www.australianhotels.asn.au
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