Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an international non-profit organization that develops and manages standards and certification programs for responsible aquaculture. Founded in 2010, it operates as a sustainability standard-setting and assurance body, using independent certification, market-based incentives, and traceability systems to improve environmental and social performance in seafood farming. Its model connects producers, supply chain actors, and consumers through certification and labeling, ensuring that seafood products can be traced back to farms that meet ASC requirements.

ASC’s system combines certification, traceability, and a controlled labeling scheme that translates technical compliance into a visible market signal. Seafood products carrying the ASC label indicate that they originate from farms and feed mills that have been independently certified against ASC requirements. The label can only be used under license and must follow strict rules for design, claims, and application, while traceability is maintained through a dedicated certification system across processing, distribution, and retail.

This system is underpinned by a set of standards that define how responsible aquaculture is assessed. ASC develops species-specific farm standards that address environmental impacts, animal welfare, and social responsibility in aquaculture production, alongside the ASC Feed Standard, which covers the sourcing and manufacture of feed used in certified operations. These are supported by the Chain of Custody Standard, with certification against this standard ensuring that certified seafood remains identifiable and traceable across the supply chain. Certification is carried out by independent third-party bodies as part of an assurance system designed to maintain consistency and credibility.

ASC works with international frameworks that shape sustainability standards. It is a member of the ISEAL Alliance and aligns with its Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems. Its program is benchmarked against the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and is recognized under the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, positioning its standards within widely accepted global frameworks.

To support this system, ASC also publishes guidance for businesses and certification users, including updated label user rules introduced in 2026 that define how certification claims can be applied across different markets and product formats. Through its standards, certification, and labeling approach, the organization plays a central role in promoting responsible aquaculture and improving transparency across global seafood supply chains.

For more information please visit its official website.