Aquaculture itself, while representing a valid lower impact alternative to some fishing methods and fisheries, if not appropriately developed and managed, it has proved to be detrimental, determining in some cases the destruction of entire mangroves forests or causing water pollution or genetic weakening of wild populations..
Only products from healthy not overexploited fish stocks and fished by selective methods (max 8% discards) with negligible impact on the seabed, can be certified.
As far as aquaculture products, these must be farmed in sites preliminarily assessed for the Environmental Impact, use no growth hormones nor antifouling paints. Water, energy and waste management must be in place and escapes must be prevented. Fishfeed must be sourced from Friend of the Sea approved sources and certified sustainable.
Control Union Certifications is an independent certification body that carries out inspections, audits, verifications and awards certificates for the Friend of The Sea (FOS), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).