It is the first shrimp farm in Africa to receive ASC certification.
WWF, which has been working with Unima since 2007 to develop and implement good social and environmental practices, welcomed the announcement.
Through ASC certification, the company is being recognised for boosting community development, reforestation and for its sound management of mangrove areas, water treatment and waste management.
This certification is a major step for the shrimp sector across Africa and the export market in Madagascar. Indeed in 2014, shrimp fishing and farming represented 49 per cent of Madagascar’s fish products exports. More than 60 per cent of the farmed shrimp is produced by Aqualma.
Europe is the main consumer of Malagasy shrimps, with imports of 400,000 tons of tropical farmed shrimp per year. Most of the shrimp is exported to France, only 10 per cent goes to Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
“When managed responsibly, aquaculture can thrive alongside healthy wild fish populations and without harming the marine environment, including the vulnerable mangrove areas in Madagascar,” commented Dr Didier Fourgon, WWF Fisheries Programme Officer, WWF-Madagascar.
“The ASC shrimp certification is a good starting point to achieve this. It´s a proof of good industrial practices and a quality warranty for European consumers on their product choice.”
“We hope this certification of Aqualma will serve as a model for other shrimp farms and will stimulate further engagement of the broader Malagasy shrimp industry towards sustainable management,” added Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana, Country Director, WWF-Madagascar.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Unima and also other farms in shrimp producing countries such as Mozambique to implement better practices and help achieve ASC certification throughout the Africa region.”
