As a result of being a pioneer in investing in ASC, AGFOCERT has been the first and only certification body in Turkey.

• We have been granted our accreditation by ASI on May 16, 2016.
• We are able to certify all of the trout, salmon, tilapia, abalone, bivalve, shrimp and pangasius scopes.
• Traceability of ASC certified farms must be maintained at the processing facility, storage, broker companies, and those must have a MSC CoC (Chain of Custody) certificate in order to keep the supply chain. Our accreditation also includes MSC CoC.
• While our ASC and MSC CoC accreditation currently covers entire world except for USA, Canada and China.
• We are accredited of the Chain of Custody certification within both ASC and MSC scopes.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council is an independent, international non-profit organisation that manages the world’s leading certification and labelling programme for responsible aquaculture.

Information from ASC-AQUA.ORG web site :

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council is an independent, international non-profit organisation that manages the world’s leading certification and labelling programme for responsible aquaculture.

ASC Vision

A world where aquaculture plays a major role in supplying food and social benefits for mankind whilst minimising negative impacts on the environment.

ASC Mission

To transform aquaculture towards environmental sustainability and social responsibility using efficient market mechanisms that create value across the chain.

We work with aquaculture producers, seafood processors, retail and foodservice companies, scientists, conservation groups and consumers to:

• Recognise and reward responsible aquaculture through the ASC aquaculture certification programme and seafood label.
• Promote best environmental and social choice when buying seafood.
• Contribute to transforming seafood markets towards sustainability.

The considerable, often unintentional, adverse impacts associated with aquaculture, including the overuse of anti-biotics and poor site management, are reduced by ASC certification. By applying more than 150 performance indicators, the ASC helps to move the aquaculture industry towards sustainability with standards that:

• help protect the surrounding ecosystems and biodiversity
• set stringent controls for the use of antibiotics
• reduce the use of pesticides and chemicals
• require best practices that combat the spread of illness and parasites between farmed fish and wild fish
• proactively prevent fish escapes
• mandate strict criteria for resources use and sustainable feed
• regulate feed practices, reducing the amount of fish feed that drops to the water below
• preserve the quality of the water
• regulates where farms can be sited to protect vulnerable nature areas

The ASC also ensures that the social rights and safety of those who work on the farms and live in the local communities are safeguarded. Employees working on ASC certified farms must have fair working conditions and contracts as mandated by the International Labour Organization. No child labour is permitted, and all workers must have free association and access to a safe work environment.

To maintain its independent position, and to ensure that consumers can trust that farms in the ASC programme have met stringent performance criteria, we set the standard but do not assess fish farms. Certificates are issued by an independent conformity assessment body (CAB). The CAB, or certifier, carries out the assessment of the farms and decides whether they meet the necessary requirements to become ASC certified. This practice referred to as third party certification and it is widely recognised as the highest level of independent assessment.

In addition to the ASC farm standards, sites may also become chain of custody certified (CoC). CoC certification is required at each step in the supply chain for any product carrying the ASC logo. Therefore, you can rest assured that any product carrying the ASC logo or trademark can be traced throughout the supply chain to an ASC certified source and that it has been separated from fish without certification during processing.

Stakeholder review process:

AGFO, as an ASC Certification Body, commits to a transparent and systematic approach in addressing stakeholder comments concerning ASC certifications. The process is outlined as follows:

Receipt and Acknowledgment of Comments: Upon receiving comments from stakeholders regarding ASC certifications, AGFO will formally acknowledge receipt within five working days. This acknowledgment serves as an initial confirmation that the comment has been registered and will be processed according to our established procedures.

Evaluation Process: Each comment will be evaluated by a dedicated team within AGFO, which specializes in ASC standards and criteria. This team is responsible for assessing the relevance and impact of the comment in relation to the ASC certification criteria and the specific case at hand.

Documentation and Analysis: All comments will be documented meticulously, including the details of the stakeholder, the nature of the comment, and any pertinent information that could influence the certification process. An analysis will then be conducted to determine the validity and implications of the comment on the certification status.

Response and Action Plan: AGFO will formulate a response to the stakeholder comment, which may include an action plan to address any valid concerns raised. This response will detail the steps AGFO intends to take to rectify any identified issues or explain why the comment does not affect the certification status, based on ASC standards.

Implementation of Corrective Actions: If the evaluation process results in the identification of a need for corrective action, AGFO will oversee the implementation of these actions. This may involve working closely with the certified entity to ensure that all necessary improvements are made in compliance with ASC standards.

Feedback to Stakeholders: AGFO will provide feedback to the stakeholders on the outcome of their comment, including any actions taken or the rationale for maintaining the certification status as is. This step ensures transparency and closure for all parties involved.

Review and Continuous Improvement: AGFO will review the stakeholder comment process on a regular basis to identify opportunities for improvement. This includes enhancing the effectiveness of the process, ensuring the timely handling of comments, and increasing stakeholder engagement.

This commitment reflects AGFO's dedication to upholding the integrity of ASC certifications and ensuring that stakeholder comments are treated with the seriousness and attention they deserve. Our goal is to maintain the highest standards of sustainability and responsible aquaculture practices, in alignment with the ASC's mission and values.