Taylor Shellfish Farms snags ASC certification for seven species

Shelton, Washington, U.S.A.-based Taylor Shellfish Farms – the largest producer of oysters in North America – was recently certified to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard.

The certification covers seven species raised by Taylor, including Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida), Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea), eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), Manila clam (Veneripus philippinarum), geoduck clam (Panopea abrupta), and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas).

“We believe true sustainability means caring for both people and the planet,” Taylor Shellfish Marketing Manager Jada Brown said. “Our new ASC certification is a badge of that belief – recognizing our responsible farming practices, commitment to clean water, and the fair, empowering workplaces we’ve built for our teams across Washington’s coastlines. From the South Sound, Samish Bay, and beyond, this milestone celebrates the harmony between our farms, our people, and the waters that sustain us all.”

The multi-day audit that resulted in Taylor securing the certification was carried out by SCS Global Services and assessed six different regions across Washington where Taylor has over 200 aquaculture concessions.

"Taylor Shellfish Farms’ commitment to continuous improvement and ecosystem health reflects the evolving role of aquaculture in climate resilience and food security,” SCS Senior Technical Specialist for Aquaculture Caio Della Colleta Vianna said. “They have a great passion for farmed shellfish and are willing to go the distance in order to ensure their products are of the highest quality and adhere to safety and social guidelines.”

According to ASC U.S. Market Development Manager Erica Tardiff, a company the size of Taylor Shellfish securing certification is a great step toward expanding the amount of certified seafood available to U.S. consumers.

“With this certification, Taylor Shellfish becomes the first and only bivalve farm to achieve ASC certification in the United States and just the fifth U.S.-based farm to join ASC’s leading global program,” Tardiff said. “This demonstrates their leadership and commitment to responsible aquaculture right here at home. Many U.S. consumers opt for local seafood, and Taylor’s certification is an important step to expanding regional ASC-labeled options, as awareness and demand for sustainable seafood grows among shoppers, diners, and communities.”