ASC concludes 2025 Discovery Tour series in Scotland.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has concluded its 2025 Discovery Tour programme with a visit to Scotland, where seafood buyers from the United States and Italy toured ASC-certified feed mills, farms and processing facilities operated by Mowi Scotland and Bakkafrost Scotland.
The three-day tour brought representatives from Sam’s Club, Holland America Line and Italmark to sites across the Scottish Highlands, providing first-hand insight into how ASC standards are applied throughout the production process.
Participants visited Mowi’s Rosyth processing plant and several loch-based farms recognised for environmental stewardship and fish welfare. They also toured a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) site and an ASC-compliant feed mill.
Ally Dingwall, chief technical officer at ASC, said the tour helped bring certification to life. “Seeing responsible aquaculture in action brings ASC’s standards to life. The ASC Discovery Tour gives buyers the chance to meet producers, witness the care and innovation behind certified farming, and understand the challenges and the difference ASC certification makes for people, fish and the planet,” he said.
Buyers described the experience as valuable for understanding responsible aquaculture in practice. “Learning about the Scottish salmon industry and the important impact ASC plays alongside other industry professionals has been an invaluable experience,” said Kendall Sallee, director of seafood sourcing at Sam’s Club.
Morkel van Wyk, sustainability manager at Holland America Line, said: “ASC has rigorous standards which ensure that Scottish salmon offers customers a product that was basically hand raised in an environment where each step in the process is meticulously monitored and done in a responsible manner.”
“It’s essential to understand every step of the supply chain,” added Italmark’s David Bocchi. “We truly believe in ASC and its mission, and the companies we visited are great examples of ASC’s principles in action.”
Willem de Bruijn, ASC chief commercial officer, said the Discovery Tour series builds transparency and market confidence. “By connecting buyers directly with producers on farms, ASC fosters greater transparency and understanding of the sustainability challenges farmers face — and the practical solutions ASC standards provide,” he said.
The Scottish tour follows similar events earlier this year in Norway and Chile. ASC said the tours are part of its ongoing work to strengthen connections between retailers, foodservice buyers and certified producers across global markets.
