Salmon Farming and the SDGs | Tidbits on Salmon Farming

Sustainable culturing.

As the depletion of natural marine resources becomes an increasingly serious problem worldwide, the demand for aquaculture is increasing year by year as a supplement to the depletion. On the other hand, aquaculture has a negative side that risks causing various social and environmental problems, such as poor working conditions, sloppy on-site management, water pollution, and ecosystem disturbance. As aquaculture expands, this risk also increases. If these negative aspects become apparent, such an industry cannot continue. Sustainable aquaculture refers to aquaculture in which these negative aspects of aquaculture are well managed.

ASC certified

ASC certification is an international certification system for aquaculture operations that do not burden the environment and operate with consideration for local communities. ASC stands for Aquaculture Stewardship Council, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. This ASC-certified seafood can carry the eco-label. While awareness of this eco-label is gradually spreading in Japan, it has already reached the level of common knowledge around the world, and it is no longer an exaggeration to say that it is a global certification.

To certify ASC

To obtain ASC certification, you must request an audit from the agency. The screening will be based on the following seven criteria A wide range of environmental and social aspects will be reviewed.

Compliance with national and local laws and regulations
Conservation of natural habitats, local biodiversity and ecosystems
Maintain diversity of wild populations
Preservation of water resources and water quality
Responsible use of feed and other resources
Proper fish disease management, control and responsible use of antibiotics and chemicals
Responsibility to the community and appropriate working environment

Improving the FCR is actually SDGs

Improvements in FCR are actually also linked to sustainable aquaculture. The feed used in aquaculture contains a certain percentage of fishmeal. Fishmeal is made from natural marine resources, so if the amount of fishmeal fed can be reduced by improving FCR, this will lead to the conservation of natural marine resources. For example, in the case of salmon feed used in developed aquaculture countries in Northern Europe, approximately 15-20% of the feed is made up of fishmeal (25-50% in Japan). An FCR of 1.5 would produce 1 kg of farmed fish from approximately 0.3 kg of natural marine resources.
Improved FCR will also reduce consumption of raw materials other than fishmeal. This will also help achieve the SDGs, such as meeting food demand and environmental impact through reduced emissions.