The Aquaculture Stewardship Council gears up for Operational Phase
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) seeks nominations for the expansion of its Supervisory Board and a permanent CEO for the next phase of its development, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to ASC.
Aquaculture will only realise its full potential to make a major contribution to food security and improve the livelihood of millions of people if conducted in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Over the past 5 years there has been a revolutionary process in standards development to achieve just this. Across the spectrum of civil society and industry stakeholders the Aquaculture Dialogues process has been undertaking one of the most ambitious, multi-stakeholder programmes to develop credible standards in the aquaculture industry. Over 2,000 people have participated in the dialogue process from producers, the processing industry, retailers, NGOs, governments and the scientific community.
Standards are in the last stages of being developed by Aquaculture Dialogues for 12 species groups. The ASC, established in 2009 as an independent, not for profit organisation, is the body tasked with establishing and managing the certification and labelling system for these global standards for responsible aquaculture. The ASC is not only a standards holding body - it will oversee a global transformation in aquaculture.
During the development phase, the ASC has been putting together the initial governance building processes that will enable this transformation to occur, led by Philip Smith, the current, respected CEO, whose contract soon expires. The ASC is now moving on to the full implementation phase and is now expanding its governance structure by seeking nominations for membership of its Supervisory Board, its main governing body, and a CEO to manage the ASC certification and labeling programme in its operational phase.
Supervisory Board Expansion:
According to the Deed of the ASC, the number of Board members shall be between 5 and 9. There are currently 4 members and nominations are being sought in an open, transparent process. The board is actively soliciting stakeholders to recommend and submit potential candidate names.
The Chief Executive Officer:
Reporting to the Supervisory Board of the ASC, the CEO will have a demonstrable affinity with the Foundation's objectives, provide leadership and direct the development of the ASC organisation in its operational phase. In addition to a high level of business skills and experience, proven ability to work in multi-cultural, international settings and an ability to work at a transformational level with all different stakeholders in the supply chain: retail, trade and processing sector, as well as producers, civil society, NGOs, scientists and government, and unite them across a common sustainable development framework in aquaculture is emphasised. Experience in food value chains from production to market is essential whilst knowledge of aquaculture, especially environmental and social impacts and certification schemes, would be advantageous.