Tassal joins global salmon group

AUSTRALIAN salmon farmer Tassal has joined the Global Salmon Initiative, a collective of 17 producers from around the world.
The GSI, established in 2013 to improve industry sustainability, has expanded by more than 40 per cent in seven months and includes eight associate members.
It represents 55 per cent of the global salmon production industry, with companies such as Marine Harvest, Grieg Seaffod and Bakkafrost among its members, and BioMar, Skretting, Cargill and Pharmaq on its list of associates.
Mark Ryan, managing director and CEO of Tassal, said: ‘We have been watching the GSI for some time now, and have been impressed by the progress the group has been making in uniting the industry.
‘We at Tassal want to be a part of this global movement as we share the same level of ambition and passion for working with other like-minded companies, and while some of our local challenges may differ from those of other members, we see a great opportunity in being part of a group like the GSI and working collaboratively towards a more sustainable future for the sector.’
Per Grieg, GSI co-chair and chairman of Grieg Seafoods, said: ‘We are pleased to be able to welcome Tassal to the growing GSI family and expand our presence in Oceania, in addition to our long standing members Huon and New Zealand King Salmon.
‘It’s a clear indication that the GSI is on the right track, and as more companies and people get involved, our collective efforts will have even greater impact.’
In joining the GSI, Tassal has made a commitment to embrace the GSI’s core principles of sustainability, transparency and cooperation and —  when it comes to making sustainable improvements to the environment — to put collaboration before competition.
Additionally, as a member, Tassal will be contributing to the GSI’s core areas of focus, which include improving the management of biosecurity challenges, ensuring sustainable sources of feed, and working with companies to reach 100 per cent farm certification by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard by 2020.
Picture: Mark Ryan, managing director and CEO of Tassal