Responsible Aquaculture
The Mediterranean seafood tradition teaches us the importance of staying in balance with nature. Building upon these strong traditions of respect and pride, AVRAMAR’s ethos is to work in harmony with nature, consistently delivering responsibly and sustainably produced fresh farmed fish.
As a leader in Mediterranean aquaculture, we are committed to using sustainable and responsible aquaculture practices. At AVRAMAR we are proud to be part of the solution.
AVRAMAR is committed to producing healthy fish according to the highest animal welfare standards. Together with producer associations, governmental institutions, industry experts, universities, research centers, and NGOs, AVRAMAR is actively participating in projects to enhance and develop new fish welfare guidelines for the Mediterranean aquaculture.
We recognize that harvesting is one of the most sensitive phases of the production process, and we believe it is necessary to develop and implement a more effective and gentle harvest system to minimize stress to the fish during the slaughtering process. In this regard, electric stunning is considered the most effective method, as it causes the loss of consciousness in more than 95% of the fish in less than one second.
As a member of the expert committee of the Spanish Aquaculture Producers Association (APROMAR), and a member of the Greek Aquaculture Producer Association (HAPO), we are collaborating with relevant stakeholders to identify the most effective animal welfare practices to continue developing Mediterranean aquaculture in a responsible and sustainable direction.
Thus, in line with our dedication to transparency and enhancement of fish welfare, AVRAMAR is committed to implementing electrical stunning in all our farms in Spain by the end of 2027.
In Greece, as stated in our Sustainability Strategic Goals Roadmap (2026-2030), our goal is to transition to 100% electric stunning by 2030. We operate in full alignment with the principles and best practices outlined in the “Mediterranean Fish Welfare: Guide to Good Practices and Assessment Indicators” developed by HAPO and officially approved by the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
Mediterranean Fish Welfare: Guide to Good Practices and Assessment Indicators
Sustainable operations
– a key priority in our Strategic Plan
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Ethical feed sourcing
Enhanced fish welfare
Responsible farming
Reduced environmental impact
Better environmental management
Improved employee wellbeing
We have targeted six principal aspects of our operations that offer opportunities to increase sustainability and improve performance. Achieving tangible improvements in each of these areas will result in positive outcomes for our communities, our fish, and our planet.
Ethical Feed Sourcing
Responsible sourcing of fishmeal and fish oil is of paramount importance to our industry. Decreasing our reliance on wild fish inputs is a key part of our long-term strategy. The fishmeal and fish oil that we do use are strictly sourced from certified stocks only, and never involve endangered species or IUU fisheries.
ASC Feed Standard certification
All three AVRAMAR feed plants in Greece (Patra, Korinthos, Artaki) are as of Feb’26 ASC Feed Certified. Achieving the certification was a key ESG goal for 2024–2025 under our Strategic Roadmap 2026–2030.
AVRAMAR’s Commitment to Deforestation-Free and Conversion-Free Supply Chains
In line with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), AVRAMAR is committed to ensuring that all plant-based ingredients in our supply chains are sourced responsibly and transparently. We believe that protecting natural ecosystems is a shared responsibility – one that begins with how we source our raw materials.
From 1 June 2025, all soya used in our feed production in Greece, will come exclusively from suppliers certified under one of the following internationally recognized standards:
- RTRS (Round Table on Responsible Soy)
- Donau Soja / Europe Soya
- ProTerra
These certifications guarantee traceability and confirm that crops are cultivated without deforestation or ecosystem conversion. This reinforces our commitment to transparent and responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain.
Improvements in fish welfare
Fish welfare can be enhanced through improved husbandry and the application of advanced technology. We aim to increase overall fish survival by stocking larger, more resilient juveniles and adopting more comprehensive monitoring and intelligence systems to better monitor our stocks. Intensifying our vaccination program will lead to significant health benefits for our fish. Further improvements in fish handling and humane harvesting methods will all lead to advances in our overall fish welfare program.
Responsible farming
All of AVRAMAR’s production facilities are certified by GlobalG.A.P., one of the world’s most recognized farm assurance programs. In addition to this, and to augment our commitment to third-party certification, we are also expanding our Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) accreditation with the intent that more farms across the group will become ASC certified in the coming years.
Reduced environmental impacts
While aquaculture has the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of all farmed animal sectors, we took the progressive initiative to calculate the carbon footprint of our Spanish farms in 2019. These calculations established that 1kg of our fish produces 2.3kg CO2-eq. Armed with this knowledge, we are now in a position to attempt to make this number even lower, playing our part in achieving the targets of the European Green Deal initiative. We are also committed to safeguarding marine biodiversity, both at the local level and globally, through the responsible procurement of fishmeal and fish oil.
Environmental management
Following the concept of the circular economy, we will manage all our waste with the aim of Reducing, Recycling and Reusing, wherever possible. Careful monitoring of environmental parameters, including water quality and benthic sediments, helps us ensure the protection of our surrounding environment.
Wellbeing of employees
Our employees are at the heart of everything we do here at AVRAMAR. We strive to be an employer of choice for our employees, wherever they are, providing the most equitable working conditions, a safety-first culture, and an inclusive working environment for all. By ensuring that our employees thrive, we all thrive.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PATHWAY
In line with our mission Better Fish, Better Lives is our commitment to a Better Planet for a Better Future, for the people, environment, our fish, oceans, and the local communities where we operate
By establishing our material topics at the core of our sustainability pathway, we ensure that our focus is directed towards the areas where we have most impact on the environment, people, and economy. Additionally, by aligning our pathway with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we fortify our sustainability trajectory according to universally-recognized benchmarks. The highest standards in food safety, environmental and social stewardship of our products are proven by Our Certifications.
Take a deep dive into our journey towards sustainability in our report below.
AVRAMAR 2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
OUR INITIATIVES
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Natural Habitat
Quality Control
Waste Management
NATURAL HABITAT
We grow our fish in an environment that replicates their natural habitat as much as possible. Advanced and modern farming techniques entail careful attention to stocking densities, and water quality, as well as ensuring our fish have a healthy, balanced diet and are grown to the highest welfare standards. This attention to detail enables us to consistently deliver the Mediterranean’s freshest most nutritious fish.
Quality Control
Careful attention to detail, from daily analysis of water chemistry, to benthic monitoring of the seabed under our farms, and rigorous scrutiny of every ingredient in our feed recipes – our meticulous consideration of every detail in our farming processes add up to a big picture of responsibility and sustainability.
Waste Management
We manage all of our waste under the concept of the circular economy, by observing the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.