French Company Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale, First French Seabass and Seabream Farm That Achieves ASC Certification

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) just announced the certification of Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale, the first French seabass and seabream farm to achieve the ASC Seabream and Seabass standard. The certification represents a major milestone for French aquaculture which recognises the farm’s commitment to meeting ASC’s stringent requirements for environmental responsibility, animal welfare, responsible feed and resource use, and social accountability.

Bastien Riera, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Gloria Maris Groupe, commented after receiving the news: “Achieving ASC certification is an important recognition of the work carried out by our teams over many years. This certification reflects our commitment to contributing to the development of a responsible, transparent, and demanding French aquaculture sector.”

According to ASC, now, by attaining ASC certification, Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale joins a global community of producers dedicated to driving positive change in seafood farming. “The achievement also increases the availability of farmed seafood in France that meets ASC’s environmental and social requirements,” they said.

“ASC congratulates Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale on this remarkable achievement. As a pioneer, Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale is leading the way and demonstrating that a transparent, and responsible French aquaculture sector can meet the highest environmental and social standards,” stated Maxime Engler, ASC France Market Development Manager.

More Than 40 Years of Commitment to Environmental and Social Responsibility

Located along the beaches of the Hauts-de-France region, Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale has been farming sea bass and seabream for more than 40 years. This certification recognizes the site’s long-standing commitment to responsible aquaculture, combining product quality, environmental preservation, and social responsibility.

Due to its location, the farm benefits from favorable conditions to farming of seabass and seabream. The site builds on expertise developed by Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale’s teams since 1982, with a strong focus on farming management and the continuous improvement of practices.

Fish produced at the site are supplied to foodservice professionals, fishmongers, and premium retail markets, with particular attention paid to product quality and traceability.

Growing Consumer Demand for Certified

To achieve certification, Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale underwent an audit conducted by a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) responsible for verifying compliance with requirements of the ASC Seabass and Seabream Standards.

ASC explained that their certification recognizes Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale’s good practices, particularly in the areas of monitoring and reducing environmental impacts; managing aquaculture-related discharges; protecting surrounding ecosystems; responsible management of resources and animal health; and providing good working conditions.

By joining the ASC program, Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale contributes to the development of more responsible aquaculture and helps meet growing consumer demand for certified, traceable seafood products produced through responsible farming practices.

Four Different Natural Locations

The Gloria Maris Groupe’s farms are deeply rooted in their local communities. Their farms are located in coastal regions that are a testament to their heritage, expertise, and consistency. They are Corsica, at the heart of a site designated as a Natura 2000 area and a ‘Grand Site de France;’ Sardinia, on the border of the Stintino Peninsula and the Asinara National Park, in the heart of a preserved natural environment; Opal Coast, in the heart of an environment shaped by tides and ocean currents; and Gravelines, on the English Channel coast.

“For more than 40 years, we have been cultivating the sea with patience and conviction. From the Mediterranean to the Opal Coast, our sites all tell the same story: that of a rigorous, transparent aquaculture industry that guarantees impeccable quality and is deeply committed to protecting marine ecosystems”, they say.