Arctic Fish, a Reykjavik, Iceland-headquartered processor of wild-caught and farm-raised seafood, has become the first aquaculture producer to obtain Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Certification in the North Atlantic island nation.
The Dyrafjordur and Önundafjordur farms, both part of Arctic Fish’s sea farm operations on the Westfjords, a large peninsula in northwestern Iceland, are certified to produce ASC rainbow trout. The on-site assessment was conducted by SCS Global Services, an independent, third party certification company.
“Iceland is still a small player in the sea farming sector on an international scale, with only four tons of salmon and trout harvested in 2015 – but this is expected to more than double this year mainly from the Westfjords,” said Sigurður Pétursson, chief executive officer of Arctic Fish. “There is good potential for future growth, and the environment in Iceland is ideal for sustainable and eco-friendly farming methods.”
Chris Ninnes, ASC’s chief executive officer, commented, “It is a pleasure to welcome Arctic Fish to the ASC program. The certification of the first farm in Iceland is a great example of how producers are meeting the increased market demand for ASC certified products around the world.”
Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of food production and is integral to global food security. As demand for farmed fish continues to rise, it is increasingly important that producers operate at a level that minimizes impacts to the environment, provides fair and proper conditions for those who work on the farms, and that is considerate of the people in the communities where the farms are situated. By becoming ASC certified, Arctic Fish has committed to doing just that.
Arctic Fish was established in 2011 and initially started with a single sea site for trout. Over time, it has grown into an operation covering every aspect of fish farming. In addition to increasing sea farming operations under its subsidiary Arctic Sea Farm, the company operates Arctic Smolt, a recirculation hatchery, and Arctic Oddi, a processing facility for the fish nurtured in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Situated in the clear waters off of the Icelandic shoreline, Arctic Fish uses naturally occurring warm springs in its hatchery. Iceland’s ecosystem confers a great number of advantages at the farm site, including a natural inhibition of viral diseases and most pests, and Arctic Fish does not use any antibiotics during its production.
