March 21, 2014

 

 

The Seafood Expo North America in Boston has joined together for the first time, the Global Salmon Initiative (GSI), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and Rabobank, to demonstrate how the global farmed salmon industry is leading the way in changing current aquaculture business practices to ensure a sustainable future for the industry.

 

The US is the largest consumer by country of farmed salmon worldwide, consuming more than 282,000 tonnes in 2013. In fact, consumer demand for farmed salmon has increased by over 14% in the last five years in the US alone, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Global demand for salmon has increased even quicker, doubling in the last decade, and is set to double again by 2020.

 

The Pathways to Sustainability Seminar intends to set an example of how cooperation among seafood industry members can lead to sustainable development and can be replicated across other industries. Many business leaders believe a significant change in current business practices is the only way for the industry to meet its market potential and future global consumer demand for salmon. GSI executives meeting in Boston with global sustainability leaders are today announcing their commitment to put sustainability before competition, in order to pursue a unique model of environmental cooperation as a driver for their industry's success.

 

"It is extremely rare to see chief executive officers -- who are usually competing fiercely for market share -- joining together to address challenges around sustainability," said Jason Clay, senior vice president of market transformation for WWF. "This type of bold, collective action in the farmed salmon sector is what's needed across all food commodities if we ever hope to feed nine billion people while preserving biodiversity."

 

During the seminar on March 18, leaders from GSI and the expert panel will review the initial results of the GSI cooperation model, and discuss how industry collaboration can translate into industry improvements. In turn, providing a sustainable solution, both economically and environmentally, to the world's growing demand for high protein foods.

 

At the forefront of change in the aquaculture industry, GSI was formed to help change current business practices and has focused on a model of environmental cooperation as a driver for industry success.

 

"The companies active in GSI recognise that sustainability is commercially sensible, and by making a public commitment to sustainable practices, they are helping to embed sustainability as a strategic driver of long-term success," said Jeroen Leffelaar, Rabobank Global Animal Protein Co-head.

 

GSI has chosen three priority areas where it intends to translate the workings of the model into significant industry improvements. GSI's specific priorities include: Having all member companies certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Salmon Standard by 2020. To date, GSI members have had their first three farms certified - a testament to the success of this unique model.

 

Focusing on biosecurity - primarily sea lice and disease management - where member companies are using knowledge transfer as a means of generating improved management practices.

 

Working with industry partners to secure sustainable sources of feed in order to meet growing demand.

 

"As individual companies we can work as hard as we want at improving our operations to support sustainable growth, but due to the nature of our business we are inherently affected by the actions of neighbours and fellow companies," said Jon Hindar, Co-chair of GSI and chief executive officer of Cermaq.

 

The Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) is a leadership initiative established in 2013 by global farmed salmon producers focused on making significant progress on industry sustainability. GSI is committed to fully realising a shared goal of providing a highly sustainable source of healthy food to feed a growing global population, whilst minimising our environmental footprint, and continuing to improve our social contribution.

 

GSI member companies include Bakkafrost; Blumar; Cermaq; Compañía Pesquera Camanchaca; Empresas AquaChile; Grieg Seafood; Lerøy Seafood Group; Los Fiordos; Marine Harvest; Norway Royal Salmon; SalMar; Multiexport Foods SA; The Scottish Salmon Company; and Scottish Sea Farms. GSI companies have a presence in Chile, Canada, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Ireland and Scotland, and make significant contributions to the economies of these respective countries.