Cermaq Launched ‘Sea the Solution’, a Platform for Protect the Ocean

The Norwegian company Cermaq has launched Sea the Solution, a platform in which it wants to reflect the advances that can help protect the ocean. “Sea the Solution is a new way of looking at ourselves and our role as food producers, local partners, and our impact on the climate changes and environment,” they say. “There is only one ocean and as food producers we are especially concerned as we depend on a healthy ocean. At the same time, also our operation may have negative impact that should be avoided,” says Steven Rafferty, CEO of Cermaq.

The use of the ocean by many industries has not sufficiently respected the multiple roles and complex biodiversity in the ocean, Cermaq recognizes in launching Sea the Solution. As research unfolds fact and casual relationships, they think they are better positioned to move from harm to harmony. And for that, they “must all take part.”

“We cannot find the solutions without recognizing the problem the solution should address. Sugar coating our issues will not only hamper our progress but also lessen trust in us. In Cermaq, we recognize that there are needs for improvement in multiple areas and we want to share how we address these and how we see the role of aquaculture in the future”, continues the CEO.

Sea the Solution addresses diverse topics, for example, how to change the composition of fish feed towards ingredients not suitable for direct human consumption, circularity in co-production with algae farming, what is needed to avoid our fish being stressed and hence improve welfare, and how local communities can take part in and benefit from growing salmon in their areas.

The task is to reduce the footprint to minimum

“All food production will have a footprint, and our task is to reduce the footprint to minimum, and balance the footprints measured as CO₂, freshwater use, arable land use, feed ingredients and in a way where our operations is part of a circular economy. We still have a way to go, but we are heading in the right direction” continues Rafferty.

Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship

In the same area of action, some weeks ago, Cermaq -as one of the ten seafood companies in the global partnership Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS)- had the honor to present the launch of the Progress report for the first five years of operation.

SeaBOS companies represent over 18% of global seafood trade value, collaborating with science partners to implement a joint vision to develop more sustainable seafood production and improved ocean health.

“Being part of SeaBOS is to set ambitions and drive transformation of the seafood sector” says Cermaq’s CEO Steven Rafferty.

The panel participants at the launch include: Princess Victoria of Sweden, Therese Log Bergjord, CEO Skretting, COO Nutreco, and Chair SeaBOS, Martin Exel, Managing Director SeaBOS; and Henrik Österblom, Professor, Stockholm Resilience Center.

A leading global salmon producer driving transition

Cermaq is a leading global salmon producer driving transition of the food system towards healthier and more climate-friendly food.

Their approach, they say, is transparency, performance, and partnerships, setting ambitious climate goals, innovation for clean farming, and scaling impact and ripple effects through local and global partnerships.

As a global organization, they assure to be aware of the challenges being faced around the world from climate change, ocean debris and micro-plastics, declining natural fish stocks, and loss of arable lands for traditional protein farming.

“We are supporting the United Nations and its work to combat these issues and are proud members of the United Nations Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition“, they explain.