The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) will launch Atlantic cod into its certification program in the fourth quarter of 2025, following a stakeholder consultation that demonstrated industry support for the species addition. The organization received input from various stakeholders, including Atlantic cod producers, during a 30-day consultation period from May 20 to June 20, 2025.
Stakeholders provided data-driven feedback and detailed comments signaling support for bringing Atlantic cod into the ASC Program. The certification will initially be implemented through a modified ASC Salmon Standard to enable immediate access to certification, followed by full integration into the ASC Farm Standard V1.1 after a two-year transition period.
“The certification of Atlantic cod marks an important milestone for ASC, demonstrating our ability to respond quickly to market demand for new species,” said Chris Ninnes, ASC CEO. “Demand for ASC certified Atlantic cod is growing among both farmers and retailers. Integrating cod into the ASC Farm Standard demonstrates the flexibility of the Standard, ensuring it continues to evolve to meet the needs of producers, retailers, and consumers. By certifying Atlantic cod, ASC is helping to improve farming practices, promote environmental responsibility, and support fair working conditions—delivering positive change across this growing sector of aquaculture.”
The majority of consultation responses originated from Norway, the primary focus region for the consultation. While Norway currently has a small number of cod producers, the certification will provide both existing cod farmers and salmon farmers a pathway to bring ASC certified cod to market. Beyond Norway, the certification could attract interest from producers in Iceland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, the wider Nordic region, and Canada, particularly given recent reductions in wild cod quotas.
Implementation and industry response
“We welcome the inclusion of Atlantic cod in the ASC Certification Program,” said Tor Olav Seim, Head of Business Development & Founder of Ode, the largest Atlantic cod producer in Norway. “This gives us a clear pathway to meet market demand for responsibly farmed cod and aligns our practices with global sustainability standards. It’s an exciting opportunity to grow our business while promoting environmental responsibility and high welfare standards in cod farming.”
Many criteria in the ASC Salmon Standard apply directly to cod farming, making it a logical addition to the program. The certification will address key sustainability issues, including biodiversity loss, ecosystem impacts, disease management, and resource use to ensure responsible and sustainable cod farming practices.
The two-year transition period before full integration into the ASC Farm Standard V1.1 will give farmers time to adapt to new requirements. The modified ASC Salmon Standard will enable immediate access to certification for producers ready to meet the standards.
The ASC certification program focuses on environmental responsibility, social accountability, and animal welfare in aquaculture operations. The addition of Atlantic cod expands the organization’s species coverage in response to market demand for certified sustainable seafood options.
