The short version
- Principle 4 applies to whole-fish marine ingredients that represent more than one percent of annual aquafeed volume.
- Marine ingredients are classified into four sustainability categories based on recognized fishery improvement programs, MarinTrust certification, and MSC certification.
- The Majority Sustainability Level is calculated based on the category that accounts for fifty percent or more of the mill's total whole-fish ingredient volume.
- Feed mills must establish an Entry Level upon initial certification and increase their Majority Sustainability Level by at least one level every three-year certification cycle.
Sourcing whole-fish marine ingredients responsibly is a core pillar of the ASC Feed Standard V1.2. Recognizing global variation in fishery management, Principle 4 establishes an improvement-driven framework known as the Majority Sustainability Level (MSL). This mechanism allows feed manufacturers to maintain market access while progressively driving fishery improvements over time.
Scope and Exclusions under Principle 4
Principle 4 applies to any whole-fish marine ingredient—including forage fish, krill, squid, and shellfish—that represents more than one percent of the total annual ingredient weight received by the feed mill for aquafeed production.
Marine by-products derived from fish processing, aquaculture by-products, and fish retained under regulatory landing obligations are excluded from MSL calculations, though they remain subject to Principle 2 Due Diligence requirements.
The Four Sustainability Categories for Whole-Fish Ingredients
Feed mills evaluate incoming whole-fish marine ingredients against four defined sustainability categories:
Category 1: Raw material is sourced from a fishery accepted in the MarinTrust Improver Programme and listed as an active Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) on FisheryProgress.org, with processing occurring at a MarinTrust Improver Programme Accepted Facility.
Category 2: Raw material originates from a fishery approved under the MarinTrust Factory Standard, processed by a MarinTrust-certified facility, and maintained through a certified MarinTrust Chain of Custody or third-party verified traceability system.
Category 3: Raw material originates from a MarinTrust-approved fishery that is actively participating in a comprehensive Fishery Improvement Project listed on FisheryProgress.org, processed by a MarinTrust-certified facility, and verified through Chain of Custody.
Category 4: Raw material is sourced from a fishery certified under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or an equivalent recognized standard, with all suppliers holding valid MSC Chain of Custody certification.
Calculating the Majority Sustainability Level
The Majority Sustainability Level is determined based on the sustainability category that covers at least fifty percent of the total volume of whole-fish marine ingredients received by the mill annually from January 1 to December 31.
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High-Performing Majority: If fifty percent or more of whole-fish volume falls into Category 4, the mill achieves MSL 4. If fifty percent or more falls into Category 3, the mill achieves MSL 3.
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Cumulative Calculation: If no single category reaches fifty percent on its own, cumulative volumes from higher categories are added to lower categories to establish the level. For example, if Category 4 and Category 3 combined reach fifty percent or more, the mill satisfies MSL 3.
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Minority Volumes: Whole-fish ingredients that do not score within Categories 1 through 4 may be used in the minority proportion (less than fifty percent of total whole-fish volume). However, uncategorized marine material does not count toward mass balance eligible volume.
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Entry Level Determination: Prior to initial certification, the mill calculates its Entry Level based on whole-fish marine ingredient receipts from the preceding twenty-four months. The Entry Level must be at least MSL 1, unless the mill demonstrates formal systems to transition from baseline to MSL 1 within its first year.
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Cycle Progression: Feed mills must maintain their baseline MSL during surveillance audits and increase their MSL by at least one level at each three-year recertification audit until reaching MSL 4.
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Single Fishery Dependency Exception: If a mill depends on a single fishery participating in a FIP and cannot substitute supply without major operational disruption, Indicator 4.1.5 allows a one-time three-year extension at the current MSL to align with the FIP progression timeline.
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Maintain Traceability Records: Ensure delivery notes, health certificates, purchase orders, and bills of lading match certification claim documents across all supply chain actors.
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Monitor Fishery Progress Status: Periodically verify that participating FIPs remain active and publicly listed on FisheryProgress.org to prevent accidental downgrades in sustainability categories.
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Diversify Sourcing: To protect against certification drops, source from multiple MSC-certified fisheries rather than relying on a single fishery that could face suspension.
- ASC Feed Standard V1.2 (Criterion 4.1, Appendix 3, Appendix 4, Appendix 5)
- ASC Feed Standard Interpretation Manual V1.2 (Criterion 4.1 Guidance and Appendix 4)
- ASC Logo and Claim User Guide (February 2023)
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