17 Aug 2018

QUEENSLAND PRAWN FARM IS FIRST IN AUSTRALIA TO GAIN GOLD STANDARD SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION

WWF-Australia congratulates Pacific Reef Fisheries in northern Queensland for being the first Australian prawn farm to gain certification by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the world’s highest standard of responsible aquaculture.

Pacific Reef Fisheries, near Ayr south-east of Townsville, also received the Australian Prawn Farmers Association’s (APFA) Prawn Farming Sustainability Program Award in recognition of this Australian first.

“It is great to see the leadership of Pacific Reef Fisheries in responding to the growing demand from Australian families, who want to buy sustainable seafood from their local supermarkets,” WWF Australia Seafood Manager Ms Jo-anne McCrea said.

“Our tiger prawns grow along the coast of the precious Great Barrier Reef. So of course we want to do what we can to help protect our amazing reef for future generations,” said Pacific Reef Fisheries General Manager John Moloney.

Coles and WWF-Australia partnered with Pacific Reef Fisheries to provide financial and technical support to assist with its ASC certification, and were co-winners of the APFA Sustainability Award.

“The prawn industry can play a strong role in helping to maintain the health of the Great Barrier Reef. We hope the leadership of Pacific Reef Fisheries in demonstrating best practices will inspire other prawn farmers to follow in seeking certification from the ASC, which is increasingly sought by major seafood buyers and retailers.” Ms McCrea said.

Coles Managing Director John Durkan congratulated Pacific Reef Fisheries, which is one of Australia’s largest land-based aquaculture farms.

“Our customers want to be assured that the food they buy has been sourced responsibly, so we were delighted to support Pacific Reef Fisheries to achieve this certification,” he said.

“This week’s award from the Australian Prawn Farmers Association is testament to the company’s hard work and dedication to the highest of standards.”