Sustainability award for Tassie salmon producer

Tasmanian salmon producer Tassal has received an Australian Business Award for Sustainability. The award, which is benchmarked against international performance standards, recognises organisations demonstrating leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices.

Tassal operates two directly controlled hatcheries, six marine farming locations, three processing facilities, two retail outlets and 2000 points of retail presence. According to CEO and managing director Mark Ryan, the company has the goal of minimising its impact on the environment.

“Underpinning our goal … is our Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, which has now been achieved across all our farms,” Ryan said. “We are the first salmon company in the world to achieve this.”

Ryan said Tassal is committed to continuous improvement, ongoing measurement and transparent communications via its annual sustainability report and continuing leadership role in sustainable salmon farming. The company’s head of sustainability, Linda Sams, added, “We still aim to continue to lead sustainable aquaculture production in Australia, with all our products meeting best-practice environmentally responsible standards.”

Tassal is a signatory to the WWF Global Seafood Charter, which sets out clear principles and objectives to safeguard valuable marine ecosystems and ensure the long-term viability of seafood supplies. Additionally, said Sams, the company is committed to ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.

“We want to continue to proactively engage with all stakeholders who are known to Tassal,” she said.

Other winners of the 2015 Australian Business Award for Sustainability include:

• Bupa
• Club Assist
• De Bortoli Wines
• Department of Water, WA
• GJK Facility Services
• KFC Australia
• Lush Cosmetics
• Qantas Airways Limited
• Veolia Australia and New Zealand

The Australian Business Awards Program Director Tara Johnston said these winners demonstrated innovative, enterprising and technologically advanced business initiatives and products.

“These high-performing, intelligent organisations that continuously and effectively improve their processes and products are set to survive the long-term challenges faced by all Australian businesses,” she said.

To view the full list of award winners across all categories, visit http://www.businessawards.com.au/winners/.