Cermaq welcomes the launch of UN Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business

As the first business partner and a founding patron to the action platform, Cermaq has been active in the formation of the UN Global Compact Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business. The action platform is launched today, on the World Oceans Day, at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

“We are very proud to be the first business partner for this initiative. As salmon farmers we depend on a healthy ocean and hence the Sustainable Development Goals are integrated in Cermaq’s strategy and in the way we do business. Ocean challenges must be solved through multi-stakeholder dialogue, between governments, businesses, research institutions and civil society. In this action platform for sustainable ocean business we will develop a framework for leadership for the global goals and the ocean”, says Cermaq’s CEO Geir Molvik.

Cermaq is one of the largest salmon producers and ranked as the most transparent seafood company globally. Sustainability is deeply rooted in the company’s culture, and Cermaq’s approach through many years has been to engage in collaboration to address material sustainability issues in our industry and value chain.

“We cannot meet the SDGs without the commitment and participation from the private sector. Cermaq is already engaged in partnerships for sustainability within the salmon industry (Global Salmon Initiative), the seafood industry (Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship), and the food sector (FReSH). In the rise of the blue economy, the platform intends to build the foundations for a sustainable use of the ocean across the maritime industries. The multi-stakeholder setup including governments, demonstrates the commitment we all share especially with regards to SDG14 – Life below water”, continues Geir Molvik.

The UN Global Compact Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business will focus on growth, innovation and sustainability, exploring how to best protect the health of the ocean. It aims to mobilize the private sector to take tangible action, make investments and form partnerships to leverage the ocean as a resource to achieve the Global Goals.

“We know that the oceans play a major role for our climate, that in the future we must produce more food in the oceans, and that aquaculture is very eco efficient protein production. Aquaculture and salmon farming is a part of the solution, and Cermaq has the ambition to contribute both by producing more high-quality healthy food and by working with others to improve our food systems and ocean management”, concludes Geir Molvik.