Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Appointed to Executive Committee of EU Market Advisory Council

Appointment recognises ASC as a key sustainability voice in EU seafood and aquaculture markets

Brussels — Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has been officially classified as an Other Interest Group (OIG) and nominated to the Executive Committee of the Market Advisory Council (MAC), marking a significant step in ASC’s engagement with European Union market and policy processes.

Established under the EU Common Fisheries Policy, the MAC brings together stakeholders from across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain to provide structured, balanced advice to the European Commission and EU Member States on market-related aspects of fishery and aquaculture products. Its recommendations contribute to market policy implementation, regulatory development, and the effective functioning of the EU internal market.

ASC CEO, Chris Ninnes, said, “ASC’s nomination to the Executive Committee of the Market Advisory Council is a clear acknowledgement of our role as a credible and constructive voice in EU seafood and aquaculture markets. It gives us a stronger platform to contribute evidence-based perspectives on sustainability, market dynamics, and regulatory effectiveness. It also allows us to work closely with EU institutions and other stakeholders to support a transparent, resilient, and forward-looking European seafood market.”

ASC’s Active Role in EU Seafood Market and Policy

ASC has been an active member of the MAC for the past two years. Its nomination to the Executive Committee reflects the organisation’s recognised expertise and representative role in EU seafood and aquaculture market discussions. The Executive Committee, composed of up to 25 members representing both value chain actors and other interest groups, is responsible for guiding the MAC’s strategy, shaping its annual work programme, and preparing and forwarding its formal advice to the European Commission.

Through its new role, ASC will contribute more directly to setting the MAC’s agenda, shaping its positions, and ensuring that sustainability perspectives are reflected at the highest level of EU market governance. The appointment also strengthens ASC’s ability to engage directly and regularly with the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and to collaborate with fellow Executive Committee members from across industry and civil society, including the Marine Stewardship Council, the Environmental Justice Foundation, OCEANA and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

ASC looks forward to contributing constructively to the MAC’s work and to advancing balanced, forward-looking, and ASC-aligned solutions that support the long-term sustainability of the EU seafood and aquaculture sector.

About the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

The ASC label on pack showcases ASC-certified farms and feed mills — impact-focused and transparent operations delivering measurable and verifiable change. They meet science-based, rigorous requirements that foster accountability and trust across the seafood value chain, from feed ingredients to farm to fork. 

ASC is an independent non-profit organisation setting the global standard for responsible farmed seafood. Our comprehensive environmental and social requirements drive continuous improvement in aquaculture practices. 

ASC is advancing the leading certification programme for responsible farmed seafood, partnering to increase demand for ASC-labelled products, and championing innovation through industry collaboration. 

Find out more: www.asc-aqua.org