Utrecht, Netherlands – The future of the global shrimp industry depends on transparency, sustainability and cooperation in the supply chain, and faster action is needed. This is a helicopter view of the ASC team at the Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) in Utrecht.
As a founding partner of the event, ASC had a strong team of subject matter experts in Utrecht with more than 500 delegates from 40 countries attending the annual global shrimp industry leadership event.
ASC experts presented on key issues driving environmental and social change in the global shrimp sector, including climate change, human rights, feed, inclusiveness in the supply chain and ASC’s improvement agenda.
“We are grateful for the shrimp industry’s continued support and commitment to improving the sector,” said Chris Neins, ASC CEO and GSF President. Shrimp is a key species cultivated globally. However, the sector remains fragmented as a highly traded commodity in many countries. Only through collaboration and joint efforts of the entire supply chain can we truly achieve meaningful change.
“There is a need to form industry leadership and our commitment to this event reflects our commitment to create positive change in shrimp farming.
“This event always generates high-quality discussion and provides valuable motivation and learning for all parts of the value chain, including ASC.”
Complete plots
The first day began with an interactive session focusing on inclusive supply chains and continuous improvement, exploring how the shrimp industry can evolve to improve production, livelihoods and the environment.
The audience heard five-minute pitches for improvement projects from ASC partners, including Paul Bolcock of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Indonesian non-profit organization Kaleka, and Heiko Lenk, founder of Luna Seafoods, who spoke about his involvement with the ASC’s improvement program. did And how it benefits farmers and their communities in Bangladesh.
The session concluded with thoughtful closing remarks by Roy Van Datslaar, Global Leader of the ASC’s Enhancement Program, and Cormac O’Sullivan of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
ASC feed standard “provides a social license to operate”
On the second day of the forum, Isla Jones, ASC UK and Ireland Market Development Manager, moderated a panel event on the ASC Feed Standard. Frédérique Glazener, Sustainability Manager at Albert Heijn, Jorge Diaz, Sustainability Manager at Skretting and Henrik Aarestrup, Vice President LatAm, Shrimp and Hatchery at BioMar discussed the value and challenges associated with achieving the standard.
Jorge Diaz said that the initial adoption of the ASC feed standard was not only the right thing to do, but also provides a social license to operate, while Henrik Arastrup believes that the ASC feed standard will move the industry forward and that BioMar supports it.
The cost of certification was discussed, and Frédérique Glazener, sustainability manager at Albert Heijn, stated that the ASC feed standard raises standards but also increases cost, but she asked the audience to consider the cost of doing nothing. There was consensus that the cost should be shared across the value chain.
Feed was a key topic at many of the meetings, and Blake Stock of the Thailand Association said the ASC feed standard is one of the most comprehensive solutions to tackle shrimp feed challenges. “Closer interaction between feed and shrimp farming is key to the future of this sector,” said Isla Jones. This interface is to make agriculture more efficient and provide a healthy, nutritious and climate-friendly product. Shrimp is responsible for added value, not cost. “We can all benefit by investing in supply chains and the people in them.”
Climate change – no free ride for the shrimp sector
One of the key issues raised at GSF 2024 was climate change and the carbon footprint of shrimp, which was discussed at the Climate Summit.
After the discussion, ASC Program Development Manager Esther Leviten said, “To benefit from decarbonization in the shrimp situation, the sector needs to take action – there is no free riding – and the sector needs more and verified data on emissions. It needs greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas emissions and public reporting thereof.
Rob Parker, senior co-ordinator of the ASC’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Climate Change project, added: “I believe the industry is moving climate change messaging much faster than the science is, and organizations like the ASC will be needed to Offer some “sober second thought”. There are narrative claims, but they must be based on clear science.”
Attention to human rights – a topic of dialogue and cooperation
On the final day of the conference, one of the side sessions looked a little deeper into human rights. In this session, Froukje Kruijssen, ASC’s Human Rights Program Director, provided an overview of Human Rights Due Diligence.
This is a complex issue that is increasingly reflected in the laws of importing countries, and therefore companies in the shrimp sector have to deal with it. Experts from the seafood and apparel and textile industries shared their experiences in addressing these issues, including through pre-competitive collaborations. Dominique Gauthier, Director of Sustainability at Seafresh Group, concluded the session by emphasizing that social impact is not only about mitigating human rights risks, but also about creating benefits for workers and communities.
“It is clear that addressing human rights issues in the shrimp sector requires collaboration across the supply chain, as well as with NGOs, certification, labor unions and governments,” Faroukje said. This requires us all to acknowledge that these issues exist in the shrimp sector as in any other supply chain. “Avoiding the issue or pointing fingers does not make the issues go away, and dialogue and cooperation are needed to address them.”
Collaboration is key
ASC APAC Commercial Director Barbara Janker concluded: “Sustainability issues require collaboration, but overcoming the current difficult market situation also requires a joint effort to make shrimp farming more efficient and create and share a positive narrative about shrimp to increase global consumption. is.”
“This year’s GSF was another great success, and we’re already looking forward to building on the learnings and continuing the conversations next year,” said Esther Leviten, director of global program development for ASC and GSF board member.
Curious to see GSF highlights? Check out this 60 second forum video!
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