Aquaculture for all

Pokawa becomes France’s first ASC-certified poké chain

Atlantic Salmon Shrimp Certification +8 more

Pokawa, a leading poke bowl brand in France, announced it has secured 100 percent Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its entire seafood range.

A person holding a poke bown with fresh salmon.
Pokawa’s ASC-certified salmon and shrimp

© Pokawa

These two internationally recognised certifications guarantee full traceability and ensure that all seafood served across Pokawa restaurants – including salmon, shrimp and tuna – comes from responsibly managed fisheries or certified responsible aquaculture farms.

Thomas Le Breton, director of purchasing at Pokawa, said in a press release: “We are delighted to have achieved this dual certification, which marks a significant milestone in the deployment of our responsible purchasing policy. We would like to commend the commitment of our suppliers, and in particular our partner Transgourmet, who supports us in this demanding and ambitious approach from words to action!”

By earning the ASC label, Pokawa commits to sourcing salmon and shrimp from farms that meet strict requirements for environmental protection, biodiversity preservation, water quality, animal welfare and human rights. ASC certification is widely recognised as one of the most demanding standards for responsible aquaculture, ensuring respect for ecosystems as well as for workers and local communities.

“ASC congratulates Pokawa for this commitment to responsible aquaculture. By becoming the first ASC-certified poké chain in France, Pokawa sets an example, asserts its leadership in sustainable seafood, and demonstrates a strong commitment that meets the growing expectations of consumers for food that respects the environment and human rights,” added Maxime Engler, market development manager France at ASC.

Sustainable tuna fishing to protect ocean resources

For its tuna, Pokawa has obtained MSC certification – the global standard for sustainable wild fishing. This certification guarantees that the tuna is fully traceable to the point of sale and sourced from fisheries that comply with three fundamental principles: healthy fish stocks, minimal impact on marine ecosystems, and effective, transparent fisheries management.

Amélie Martinez, head of the commercial division at MSC France, said: “We are proud to support Pokawa. By choosing MSC-certified products, the restaurant chain gives consumers the power to support sustainable fishing every day. It’s a positive signal for the future of the oceans.”

100 percent certified seafood across the menu

With the simultaneous achievement of ASC and MSC certifications, Pokawa now guarantees that all of its seafood ingredients meet internationally recognised best practices for sustainability. This positions the brand among a small group of French restaurant players able to offer fully certified marine proteins across their menus.

This achievement also reflects Pokawa’s commitment to collaboration, highlighting the essential role of partners who share the same values of responsibility, innovation and transparency throughout the supply chain.