The Utrecht, Netherlands-headquartered Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Oakland, California-based Fair Trade USA have joined together to implement a new project funded by a grant of approximately $500,000 from the Walton Family Foundation to drive improvements in the aquaculture sector in Indonesia, the second biggest producer of farmed fish in the world.
“Improving fish farming practices there will have a significant and positive impact on our mission to raise standards of aquaculture around the world,” said Roy van Daatselaar, ASC’s producer support manager and project leader. “Collaboration is an integral part of the program. This two-year project will draw on the complementary strengths of our two organizations to bring lasting benefit to the local community through initiatives that will lead to better outcomes for the environment and those that work on, and live near, the participating farms.”
ASC and Fair Trade USA will combine their access, knowledge and experience to encourage improvements in the environmental and social impacts of Indonesian aquaculture. They are working collaboratively to explore ways to streamline joint certification, help update farming practices, and encourage greater responsibility. This collaboration will drive improvements on the ground and help promote engagement of producers in the market.
The two non-government organizations will also work together with Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) to support further development of the local IndoGAP standards and policies. The collaboration will help streamline the approach to implementing more responsible aquaculture practices in the world’s largest island group country.
ASC CEO Chris Ninnes and Fair Trade USA Director Julie Kuchepatov sign a memo of understanding pertaining to the two-year aquaculture improvement project in Indonesia.
