Commitment to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
Mowi states that it has achieved its target of 100% sustainable salmon sourcing, as all of its salmon products has received third-party certification by standards recognised by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative. This makes the company a leader in the supply of sustainable seafood. Mowi also reports that its sourcing of marine ingredients for feed production was in full compliance with its sourcing policy. This means that all marine ingredients are either certified by the Marine Stewardship Council or MarinTrust or are part of a fishery improvement project (FIP). The company, however, could be more transparent and disclose the proportion of its marine ingredients that are certified and the proportion that are in FIPs. Mowi also sells other seafood products. The company reports this represents less than 1% of its volume but discloses no sustainability information and could, therefore, step up its transparency for this part of its portfolio.
Animal welfare
Mowi discloses a Salmon Welfare Policy which outlines its approach to upholding animal welfare standards. The policy addresses multiple animal welfare issues, including handling and transport, humane stunning and slaughter methods and feeding practices. Moreover, Mowi outlines the third-party certifications and audits it uses to implement these policies, including Global G.A.P., ASC and BAP. Going forward, the company could further improve by taking the approach it has with stocking densities and survival rates, i.e. disclosing time-bound targets and reporting progress against it, towards other animal welfare issues it has identified.
Medicine use
Managing diseases is an important element of aquaculture that requires strict and effective management to prevent the spread and adverse impacts of diseases on the farm and beyond. Mowi reports on the use of medicine across 100% of its operations as well as on alternatives, such as cleaner fish and preventive measures. As such, 80% of its sites use cleaner fish to prevent sea lice, and medicine use has been relatively stable in the past four reporting years.
Protection of terrestrial natural ecosystems
Mowi sources soya to produce its salmon feed. The company has a deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) target for its soy products and states that all its Brazilian suppliers report having committed to implement a 100% DCF soya bean value chain. Mowi also reports that 100% of its soy sourced in 2020 came from deforestation-free areas and is Proterra certified and that none of it is genetically modified.