Industry Association Says Shrimp Farms Opted Out of ASC Certification

A recent report by IntraFish reported that the prestigious Aquaculture Stewardship Council, A.S.C., has suspended certification of four Belizean shrimp farms in April.  The farms named are Paradise Shrimp Farm, Tex Mar Farm, Bel-Euro Aquaculture and Tropical Aquaculture Investment Farm.  But a release by the Belize Shrimp Farm Association has clarified the Intrafish report.  It says that while four shrimp farms were successfully audited under A.S.C. standard, four other farms opted out of the A.S.C. audit. The lack of the audit, however, says the release, does not impact their ability to export shrimp. The release further states that the association expects to see those farms audited in the medium term and their A.S.C. status renewed.  The Association recognizes that its label is highly coveted worldwide. It is important for Belize because it helps to drive the industry’s unhindered access to value added markets across the world.