Morecambe Bay Oysters, the UK's largest hatchery, has gained the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) accreditation, parent company Associated Seafoods announced.

The development underscores its position as a leading aquaculture business with innovation and sustainability at its core, it said.

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Other brands in the group include Morecambe Bay Oysters, Loch Fyne Oysters, and Golden Shell Mussels, with Loch Fyne Oysters also being granted ASC "chain of custody."

"This particular certification means that products can now be tracked from the source right to the final customer. Clearly demonstrating enhanced transparency, this supports Associated Seafoods' ambition to lead the way in sustainable practices across all its products."

"Like many other food production industries, aquaculture is facing growing challenges caused by climate change. Practices that were once customary now require frequent reassessment and adjustment. The adoption of well-established standards encourages self-regulation and improvement, ensuring businesses like Morecambe Bay Oysters remain sustainable and innovative."

Victor West, managing director at Associated, said the certification was a milestone that showed the group's commitment to sustainable aquaculture. 

"With Morecambe Bay being an environmentally and ecologically significant location, our accreditation holds particular importance, as the area has several special designations due to its role in supporting diverse wildlife and habitats," he said.

The company said the success of its commercial operations across the brands enables it to drive further sustainable initiatives, such as the introduction of sustainable and genetically diverse organisms to mitigate the risk of non-native species spawning and carbon footprint reduction through the natural filtration and growth cycle of the oysters.