Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is thrilled to announce that BioMar UK has become the first ASC certified feed feed production facility the United Kingdom.
This groundbreaking certification for our Grangemouth facility – which produces feed for salmon and trout – marks a significant milestone for BioMar but also for the progress of the entire UK farmed seafood industry towards more responsible practices. Salmon and freshwater trout farms in the region and beyond are now able to obtain ASC compliant feed from BioMar UK.
BioMar UK is in the leading pack of European feed producers that are transforming feed supply chains towards greater responsibility. It is only the second feed production facility to attain ASC Feed certification in Europe and will play a pivotal role in ensuring more responsible production of feed for the Scottish farmed salmon industry, where transparency, responsibility, and traceability are increasingly important.
Rob Wilson, BioMar UK Business Unit Director said, “Achieving ASC Feed Certification at our Grangemouth facility marks an important step for BioMar UK.”
“This milestone highlights our commitment to leading the charge in responsible aquaculture practices. By providing ASC compliant feed, we are not only supporting local salmon and trout farmers but also helping to ensure that the UK aquaculture industry continues to meet the growing demand for ethical and transparent seafood production.”
Ally Dingwall, Senior Director of Technical Operations at ASC, said, “BioMar UK’s achievement of ASC Feed certification is real progress for responsible seafood farming in the UK and, being the first certification in the country, displays their leadership role in the aquafeed industry. This certification provides the first local access to ASC compliant feed in Scotland, which is crucial as we approach the 2025 deadline for ASC certified farms to ensure their feed supply is ASC compliant.”
“BioMar UK’s commitment to meeting our rigorous standards across environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and supply chain transparency sets a powerful example for the industry. Whilst this is another step towards our goal of transforming the entire aquaculture supply chain towards greater environmental and social responsibility, there is more progress to be made.”
This latest positive news about its UK operations adds to BioMar Group’s growing list of ASC certified production sites globally, closely following their recent ASC Feed Certification in Ecuador. BioMar’s facility in Ecuador is certified to produce ASC compliant feed and is playing a key role in helping shrimp farmers in the region to meet the growing demand for more ethical seafood.
Results (97)
Measuring impact is the first step towards reducing it. For years carbon calculations for soy in aquafeed relied on generic data, which does not reflect the reality of responsible farming. In 2019, together with ProTerra, we embarked on a mission to deliver science-backed, verified emissions data for key soy ingredients used in aquafeed.
Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions will be important as the aquaculture industry transitions towards lower-carbon production. These emissions, now tracked under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), originate from land use and agricultural activities rather than from energy consumption.
The aquaculture industry has focused on reducing carbon footprints for years, which is a key element of environmental responsibility. An overlooked factor lies beneath the water’s surface. Gases like methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases are greenhouse gases significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. While CO2 has dominated climate discussions, these lesser-known gases may significantly impact the environmental footprint of farmed shrimp.
Biomar, in its effort to continue with its 2030 sustainability agenda, has made progress in defining and developing suppliers that are sustainable and increasingly closer to our production factories.
BioMar’s Costa Rica production facility has achieved ASC Feed Certification, marking a significant step forward towards responsible feed production for Central America's aquaculture industry.
An all-time low FFDR of 0.37 was reported today in BioMar’s 2024 Sustainability Report. This milestone was reached through the innovative use of alternative ingredients and trimmings, which now represent 55% of the total marine ingredients.
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are fundamental to the health and development of both fish and humans. These long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) contribute to optimal growth, robust health, and high-quality fish and shrimp, showing the connection between aquafeeds and the seafood we consume.
BioMar has signed an agreement to acquire full ownership of LetSea, Norway’s leading experimental and research centre for aquaculture by taking over the remaining shares from KapNor.
In the past, trimmings, viscera, and heads from fisheries were often discarded as waste. However, these side-stream products, are recognized as valuable resources that can contribute to sustainable aquaculture. While the utilization of pelagic fish side-stream products is well-established, side-stream products from whitefish remain underutilized.
Fish oil is a crucial ingredient in aquafeed formulations, valued for its unique nutritional composition, particularly its high levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). These fatty acids are vital for the optimal growth, development, and overall well-being of farmed fish. Fish oil not only enhances feed conversion efficiency but also plays a significant role in supporting immune function, reproductive health, and the development of larvae and eggs in broodstock.
For over 15 years, we’ve been proud to partner with Lallemand, , a collaboration that has led to one of the most significant innovations in aquaculture: BACTOCELL (Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622). This powerful probiotic has played a key role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture production, benefiting farmers and the industry as a whole.
“Sustainability is both the challenge and opportunity of our time. It’s easy for me to commit to—it just comes naturally. The sustainable approach is for everyone, you just need to change your mindset, “ says Lauris Apsis.