Land-based salmon producer Atlantic Sapphire has received certification from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), making it the first US land-based salmon farm to do so, ASC announced Monday (Feb. 24).

ASC certification requires farms to meet environmental sustainability and social responsibility standards. Atlantic Sapphire had to comply with ASC's salmon standard and its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) module, which outlines requirements for water use, waste management, and energy consumption in land-based systems. The organization developed the RAS certification module in 2023 in response to the growth of land-based aquaculture. 

Atlantic Sapphire operates a RAS facility in Homestead, Florida. The company has promoted this model as an alternative to ocean-based salmon farming, citing factors such as biosecurity controls and reduced risk of escapes. It has positioned itself as a domestic supplier for the US market, aiming to reduce reliance on imported salmon.

However, it has faced challenges in scaling production, including financial losses and operational setbacks. The company previously held the distinction of being the world's largest land-based salmon producer but has recently been surpassed by Norway's Salmon Evolution. In 2024, it produced 4,400 metric tons of salmon head-on gutted (HOG), while Salmon Evolution produced 4,891t salmon HOG that year.