Aquaculture Stewardship Council auditors to examine Tassal’s Macquarie Harbour operation

TASSAL’S operations at Macquarie Harbour will be independently audited this week as the company seeks to maintain its international sustainability credentials.

TASSAL’S operations at Macquarie Harbour will be independently audited this week as the company seeks to maintain its international sustainability credentials.

Sustainability auditor SCS Global will interview farm managers and workers, community and environmental groups about the Macquarie Harbour operation in the coming week.

A spokesman for Tassal said the company did not wish to comment so as not to interfere with the independent process.

The audit follows legal action launched last week by Tassal’s main competitor Huon Aquaculture over the state of Macquarie Harbour.

MORE: HUON AQUACULTURE LAUNCHES COURT ACTION

Tassal will also destock one of its Macquarie Harbour leases after being ordered to do so by the Environment Protection Authority.

MORE: TASSAL TOLD TO DESTOCK MACQUARIE HARBOUR FARM LEASE

The site was subject to 14 non-compliance issues after an underwater survey in September.

Tassal was the first aquaculture company in the world to achieve ASC certification for all its fish farms.

ASC certification is considered the industry’s gold standard certification.

Certification means that Tassal’s farmed salmon operation conforms to seven core principles relating to biodiversity preservation in the surrounding ecosystem, water quality protection, commitment to sustainable sourcing, and transparency with stakeholders.

In November Huon Aquaculture failed to have its Zuidpool lease in Southern Tasmania ASC certified.

Auditors asked the company to address 36 issued before it could achieve certification.