ASC Kicks Off National Seafood Month with ‘Certified Seafood Experience’ at Bamboo Sushi

Denver’s ‘Sea Green. Be Green.’ Preview Tasting Launches Responsibly Farmed Seafood Promotion

DENVER, CO – October marks National Seafood Month across North America. To celebrate, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Bamboo Sushi – the first certified sustainable sushi restaurant in the U.S. – have partnered on a promotion showcasing the benefits of responsibly farmed seafood and ASC’s sea green label with a brand new fish dish premiering in Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington.

Beginning Oct. 7, Bamboo Sushi will debut its menu’s newest star: ASC Kanpachi Carpaccio, featuring heirloom tomatoes, crispy capers, fresh herbs, aleppo pepper and lemon vinaigrette. The dish is made with ASC certified Hawaiian Kanpachi from Blue Ocean Mariculture, an offshore mariculture operation based in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the first finfish farm to become ASC certified in the U.S. 

The signature dish headlines “The Certified Seafood Experience,” an initiative running Oct. 7-Nov. 2 that invites diners to learn more about responsibly farmed seafood and the ASC-Bamboo Sushi partnership. Through in-store education, digital content and storytelling, ASC and Bamboo Sushi will collaborate to help sushi lovers understand the value behind ASC’s program and how responsibly farmed seafood can support healthier oceans and food systems. 

“ASC is thrilled to partner with two of aquaculture’s strongest advocates during seafood’s biggest month of the year,” said Athena Davis, Marketing Manager North America, ASC. “Our goal during National Seafood Month is to make waves in the minds and hearts of diners by expanding perspectives around farmed seafood. The introduction of this exciting new dish, along with in-restaurant and online education, influencer activations and collaborations among our certified partners are meant to excite and engage Bamboo Sushi diners in new and thoughtful ways. We hope to show just how important responsibly farmed seafood is for both people and planet, and why diners should choose ASC for change.”

Sept. 30 Preview Tasting at Bamboo Sushi Denver Launches Promotion 

On Sept. 30, ASC and Bamboo Sushi hosted an intimate National Seafood Month preview tasting at what is now Bamboo Sushi’s original LoHi location. The restaurant expanded its Colorado footprint, opening a second location in Denver’s Congress Park in early 2025. More than 70 guests gathered to reel in a first taste of the soon-to-be-featured ASC Kanpachi Carpaccio. 

While diners indulged, leaders of ASC, Bamboo Sushi and Blue Ocean Mariculture spoke on the key role farmed seafood plays in the future of food. The panel highlighted ASC’s dedication to implementing the world’s strictest standards in seafood farming and why this matters for farmers, chefs and seafood lovers around the world. ASC’s Athena Davis helped bring the story to life through a series of conversations highlighting the farm to fork journey of responsibly farmed seafood. 

“When you think of farmed seafood, you probably aren’t envisioning what we have cultivated at Blue Ocean Mariculture,” said Howard Porter III, National Sales Manager, Blue Ocean Mariculture. “But that’s exactly why we work with groups like ASC and Bamboo Sushi. We can show diners exactly how our extraordinary Hawaiian Kanpachi are raised in Kona’s clear blue waters, in submersible sea pens, with some of the most innovative practices in the industry. This translates to a clean, fresh, incredible quality fish that is perfect for world-class sushi applications.”

Bamboo Sushi, which has 10 restaurants in four states and two new locations opening soon in Bend, Oregon, and Kirkland, Washington, consistently spotlights its sustainable and responsible seafood selections. During National Seafood Month, all locations will feature Blue Ocean Mariculture’s ASC certified Hawaiian Kanpachi Carpaccio dish. 

“When people hear ‘farm to fork’ they don’t always think of seafood. We’re working to change that,” said Elijah Lehrer, VP of Operations, Bamboo Sushi. “Responsible seafood farming is the future of food – it’s what’s going to keep us fed with high-quality, specialty fish while ensuring that our oceans and wild fish populations continue to thrive. When you come to Bamboo Sushi you can expect top-tier ingredients and great hospitality – but guests can also dive deeper to learn about sustainability, superior flavor, and why ASC certification is so important when it comes to farmed seafood.”

By the Numbers, How ASC Is Setting The Standard for Seafood 

While ASC is a global nonprofit, its focus and growth in the U.S. continue to deliver big impacts:

• There are now 1,216 ASC labeled products in North America, with 653 of those in the U.S.
• 183 new ASC labeled products came to market in 2024 alone
• ASC’s national marketing campaign, now in its fourth year, has touched down in person in 16+ major North American cities
• In 2024 ASC North America:
  • Secured over 10 million social media impressions and engagements through its media outreach, influencer activations and integrated marketing campaigns
  • Earned more than 200 news articles reaching shoppers more than 275 million times
  • Collaborated with over 65 industry partners to bring the story of certified, responsible seafood to life

The National Seafood Month promotion is ASC and Bamboo Sushi’s third national co-promotion, following a successful Earth Month 2023 activation and a World Ocean Month promotion in June 2025. 

To learn more visit: SeaGreenBeGreen.org 

About Aquaculture Stewardship Council

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is a global nonprofit organization leading the world’s strictest standards for responsibly farmed seafood. With the most robust standards and the highest assurance, ASC is Setting the Standard for Seafood by ensuring traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain. By choosing ASC labeled seafood, consumers in more than 115 countries are contributing to a more sustainable future.

About Bamboo Sushi 

In 2008, Bamboo Sushi became the world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant. Today, it proudly contributes 1% of the sale of select menu items to environmental nonprofits who are leading the way in preserving and restoring critical fisheries, watersheds, and ecosystems.