TASSAL CEO TAKES OUT SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

UPDATE - 3 Sept 2021: Standards like Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) are important tools, often providing the initial steps to drive improvements in aquaculture farming practices. However, these fully independent certification schemes also require continual monitoring and evaluation as new scientific evidence comes to light. In December 2019, WWF-Australia commissioned an independent report to examine the circumstances surrounding the ecological impacts of expanded aquaculture operations in Macquarie Harbour. The report confirms there are ways that aquaculture certification can and should be reformed, particularly to account for cumulative impacts of multiple farms. The report’s findings reinforce WWF-Australia’s submission and recommendations to the Tasmanian Upper House Enquiry on Fin Fish Farming in 2019. WWF-Australia will use this new independent report to continue to advocate for transformation in the aquaculture industry. Read the full statement and report here.

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WWF-Australia today congratulated Mark Ryan, CEO of Australia’s most significant aquaculture business Tassal, on receiving The Richard Pratt Banksia CEO Award over the weekend.

The award recognises an individual executive’s contribution towards the economic, social or environmental sustainability achievements of the organisation or company they work for and which has collateral benefits for the globe.

In 2012 under Mark’s leadership, Tassal partnered with WWF-Australia. The partnership with WWF, along with Mark’s passion for sustainability, led Tassal to become the first producer of farmed salmon in the world to achieve full Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification across all sites in November 2014. 

ASC certification is the highest standard for responsibly-farmed seafood in the world and provides credible, third party validation to consumers that they are purchasing seafood from farms that limit impacts on the environment and communities.

“It is critically important that aquaculture operations such as salmon farms are managed responsibly so that the industry can be part of a solution to feeding a growing global population – without placing further stresses on the environment,” said Dermot O’Gorman, CEO WWF-Australia. 

“I am delighted Mark’s contribution towards environmental sustainability has been recognised through this award and WWF looks forward to continuing this important work with Tassal into the future.”

Macquarie Island project wins Natural Capital Award

The Banksia Awards also recognised the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project, with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service taking out the Banksia Natural Capital Award.  

Between 2007 and 2015 the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service undertook the world’s largest island eradication project to remove all rabbits, ship rats and mice from World Heritage-listed Macquarie Island. 

A donation of $100,000 from WWF-Australia and Peregrine Adventures helped instigate the program which saw the eradication of these three invasive mammal species on Macquarie Island.