(vasep.com.vn) In late April 2012, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) launched ASC standard for farmed-pangasius. The organization also chose Vietnam pangasius industry to kick off its ASC accreditation and certification program for the fish.
ASC aims to bring international consumers the high quality pangasius products, which are sustainably and responsibly grown, limiting impacts on the environment and the society.
After two assessments of two fish farms owned by Vinh Hoan Corporation and NTACO Corporation in May – June 2012, other three Vietnam pangasius processing companies have been applying ASC certification for its fish farms in Mekong Delta in late July. They were Hung Vuong Corporation for its Phu Tuc farm in Ben Tre province; Docifish Corporation for the Unit 1 and Unit 6 farms in Dong Thap province; Bien Dong Seafood Company Ltd for its Aquaculture Center in Thot Not district, Can Tho City. The audits are scheduled to be completed in late August 2012.
On 20th August, ASC officially introduces its first ASC-labeled tilapia products from Indonesia’s fish farm. After tilapia, Vietnam pangasius may become the second fish with ASC label available in the global market.
With the new credible label, pangasius industry is expected to improve its competitiveness with other fish products and ensure the fish shares in its traditional and potential markets, particularly in the crisis time when foreign consumers and importers are more and more interested in fish quality and value.