Dominican Republic and Mexico locations achieve MSC and ASC Chain of Custody Certification
Washington, D.C. – Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is the first hotel chain with properties in the Americas that are both Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified for sustainable and responsible practices. One restaurant at both Iberostar Grand Paraíso, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, and Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has achieved Chain of Custody (CoC) certification from MSC for wild caught seafood and ASC for farm raised seafood. The certification assures consumers that both hotel restaurants are sourcing their seafood from certified suppliers, and the seafood is traceable back to a sustainable fishery or responsibly managed farm.
Iberostar is achieving these certifications as part of their commitment to the oceans through its Wave of Change movement’s three pillars: moving beyond plastics, promoting coastal health, and ensuring responsible consumption of seafood where it operates. Iberostar Hotels & Resorts became the first hotel chain in southern Europe to achieve MSC Chain of Custody certification in 2018 when four of its restaurants at four of its hotels gained certification in Spain. One more restaurant has been certificated in Spain in 2019, along with the two Iberostar properties in Dominican Republic and Mexico. Both restaurants in the Americas source from Ocean Leader, one of the first suppliers in Mexico to obtain certification, and Frigoríficos Bahia, the first supplier in the Dominican Republic to gain certification.
“Iberostar's commitment to responsible tourism and protection of the oceans is continually growing with its Wave of Change movement. One of our first major steps was to start obtaining MSC and ASC CoC Certifications where we operate to allow for the traceability of key seafood products" says Dr. Megan Morikawa, Director of Sustainability for the group. "We see this as one step in a larger commitment, where dozens of suppliers, thousands of staff, and millions of clients are guided by best seafood practices and join in this movement with us."
To be sold as MSC or ASC certified, seafood from MSC certified fisheries or ASC certified farms can only be handled, processed and packaged by organizations with a valid Chain of Custody certificate. These organizations are audited regularly by independent certification bodies to ensure that they comply with the MSC and ASC Chain of Custody Standard. This requires that MSC or ASC certified seafood is only purchased from certified suppliers and is always identifiable, segregated from non-certified seafood and sold with the correct paperwork identifying it as certified. MSC’s Chain of Custody Standard is used for both MSC and ASC supply chains, allowing companies that handle both MSC and ASC certified seafood to do a combined audit. MSC regularly monitors the supply chain and auditor application of the MSC Standard to ensure that requirements are being followed correctly.
“Chain of Custody certification is important for supply chain sustainability as well as for consumers, because it assures that standards are met throughout the supply chain, and that the products are traceable back to a sustainable fishery,” said Brian Perkins, Senior Director, Americas for the Marine Stewardship Council. “Iberostar is demonstrating leadership in sustainability with this achievement, and we’re proud to see their commitment to sustainable seafood at hotel properties in Latin America.”
“Guests at these two restaurants in Iberostar hotels in the Americas will now be able to choose seafood that has been farmed in a responsible way, and that’s not just good news for the guests but also for the ASC certified farms and suppliers who are being rewarded for their responsible practices,” said Kathleen Mullen-Ley, ASC US Commercial Manager. “Improving practices in aquaculture requires collaboration from producers, suppliers, the commercial sector, and many more, and Iberostar has shown that they are playing their part by giving their guests the option to eat certified and traceable seafood.”
The certified hotel restaurants must undergo annual audits to ensure MSC and ASC standards continue to be met.