The American Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, presented the 2021 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) to six US companies, one multinational and one small-to-medium size enterprise, in the categories Economic Inclusion, Health Security, and Climate Innovation. In this last, one of the winers was Australis Aquaculture, as a pioneer climate-smart ocean farming in Vietnam’s marine tropics and is developing technology to cultivate a seaweed species with the potential to eliminate methane emissions from cattle when part of their diet.
“It is truly an honor to accept this award on behalf of Australis Aquaculture, and we are tremendously proud that our efforts to bring a new model of sustainable aquaculture to the marine tropics are being recognized by the US government,” said Josh Goldman, CEO of Australis Aquaculture who added: “We also wish to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Vietnam and Khánh Hòa Province for their continued support of our vision for climate-smart aquaculture.”
At the online awards ceremony, Marie Damour, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Vietnam, told that “through its innovative approach to fish farming and processing, Australis has developed a new model for large-scale ocean aquaculture in the marine tropics that generates economic benefits for workers and coastal communities, improves global food security, protects wild fisheries and builds climate resilience,” she noted.
The company achieved fair trade certification
Among other initiatives to protect the environment, Australis Aquaculture is also developing technology to cultivate a species of seaweed with the potential to eliminate methane emissions from livestock as part of their diet. In that regard, Damour praised the company for achieving fair trade certification and for following a “science-based approach” to ocean aquaculture that produces “clean, traceable, healthy fish without relying on antibiotics or chemicals.”
“The company has achieved this through the development of world-class husbandry techniques, specialized fish vaccines and feed formulations, and the application of technology to scale its operations in a highly sustainable manner,” Damour said. “Australis has relied on local workers at all levels to support its growth, expanding economic opportunities in Vietnam’s beautiful coastal region through its competitive wages, gender equity and safe working conditions,” he added.
Companies represent national values in the way they do business
The Secretary of State’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) recognizes and honors US companies that uphold high standards as responsible members of their communities.
Established in 1999, the award seeks to highlight ways in which American companies represent national values in the way they do business, in line with international best practices such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Nominations for the ACE are put forward by Chiefs of Mission of U.S. embassies and consulates, for the work of a US company in a particular country. Finalists and winners for the ACE are chosen by a selection committee comprised of senior U.S. government officials.
“In the Climate Innovation category, Australis Aquaculture won with Patagonia, a multinational and sustainable company that has put environmental issues at the core of its business model.”
In Argentina, the company has advanced initiatives to promote nature-based climate solutions including through strengthening legal environmental frameworks.
Australis Aquaculture, a small-to-medium sized enterprise, implement environmentally-conscious and scalable alternatives to promote the recovery of sensitive wild fisheries while raising high quality, nutritious fish. “Our innovative practices address all of the major environmental challenges facing aquaculture today. Our vision at Australis is inspired by a deep commitment to sustainability. We hope to have an impact in moving the food system towards sustainability, social justice, and contributing to human health”, they said.
